Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, has alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio harbours a strong bias against him and remains suspicious of his actions within the National Assembly.

Oshiomhole made the remarks during an appearance on the Sunday edition of *MIC ON PODCAST*, against the backdrop of recent tensions in the Senate following his controversial comments about the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The former Edo State governor argued that Akpabio's perception of him is unjustified despite his longstanding role in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his contributions to President Bola Tinubu's electoral success.

“Don't forget that I was a founding governor of the APC and Deputy Director-General of Bola Tinubu's Campaign Council that delivered victory. I'm not saying I am responsible for the victory, but I worked for it and I am happy we succeeded,” Oshiomhole said.

He further claimed that Akpabio is excessively wary of him, alleging that the Senate President views him as a political adversary.

“Everybody in the Senate knows that if Senator Akpabio had his way, he would lock me out of the Senate because he has convinced himself that I am probably the devil he knows. There are many angels he doesn't know,” he stated.

Oshiomhole also suggested that dissatisfaction with the Senate President's leadership style is growing among lawmakers and predicted that future leadership arrangements in the upper chamber would differ significantly from the current structure.

“The 11th Senate will not be like the 10th. Senators are grumbling about his style of leadership. We try to manage the situation, and I have assured him that I am a fulfilled person,” he said.

While declining to speculate on the reasons behind what he described as Akpabio's bias, Oshiomhole maintained that the sentiment is widely known within the Senate.

The senator also alleged that Akpabio becomes uncomfortable whenever he engages with certain lawmakers. He cited an encounter involving Senator Abdulaziz Yari, whom he said sought appointment as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, which he currently chairs.

According to Oshiomhole, Akpabio questioned Yari's interest in the position, suggesting it could be part of a plan to undermine his leadership.

Oshiomhole stressed that the office of the Senate President remains subject to the collective will of senators, describing the position as that of a “first among equals.”

“If Senator Yari had secured the majority support of senators, he could have become Senate President. It is not about what anybody wishes; it is about who the senators want,” he said.

The comments come days after the Senate distanced itself from Oshiomhole's recent description of the NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” clarifying that the remarks reflected his personal views and not the official position of the chamber.

Last week, the Senate adopted a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele affirming that no Senate committee has the authority to issue, authorise, or execute a warrant of arrest without strict compliance with the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and the approval of the Senate President.

The resolution followed reports that the Senate Committee on Public Accounts had recommended a warrant of arrest against former NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, over his alleged failure to honour invitations from the committee.

Efforts to obtain a response from Akpabio's media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. Calls and messages seeking clarification were not returned.