Senator representing Adams Oshiomhole has openly criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the recent amendment of the Senate Standing Rules, describing the move as an attempt to limit competition and protect personal interests within the National Assembly.
Oshiomhole made the remarks on Thursday while speaking with journalists after his heated exchange with Akpabio during Wednesday’s plenary session over the newly amended Senate Standing Orders guiding eligibility for Senate leadership positions.
The former Edo State governor argued that the amendment, which now requires senators seeking presiding offices to have served at least two consecutive terms immediately before nomination, was unfair and politically driven.
“The Senate President became a minority leader, a principal officer during his first term as a Senator during the 8th Senate. Now he’s the one presiding and asking us to change those rules,” Oshiomhole said.
“As we speak today, the Senate President hasn’t spent up to eight years even if you count his previous years and his current one. So if we pass the rule that you must do eight consecutive years before you can become a Senate President, it means he has to lead by example by vacating because he’s presiding without acquiring the appropriate qualifications.”
Oshiomhole further accused Akpabio of attempting to alter Senate rules out of fear of wider competition for the Senate Presidency in the future.
“More offensive to me is that as leaders who are piloting affairs, we must not make laws to perpetuate anyone,” he stated.
“Senator David Mark had the honour and privilege of serving as Senate President for eight years, not by playing with the rules. Those rules that enabled David Mark to serve for eight years, what is wrong with them? Those rules that enabled this Senate President to contest for Senate Presidency, what is wrong with them?”
“Why change it now because the last time he turned out to be the only one from the South-South when it was zoned so now he fears that more Senators would be eligible, which will broaden the competition base and now he wants to shrink it.”
The senator also maintained that he was not intimidated by developments within the Senate chamber.
“If other people are afraid, I am not afraid. I am only afraid of my creator, because I have seen whether you tell lies or truth, you cannot adjust your date of death forward or backward,” he added.
Elijah Adeyemi
No comments:
Post a Comment