Senate Reverses Disputed Leadership Rule Amendment

The Senate has walked back its contentious amendment to the Senate Standing Orders regarding its leadership structure, effective from 2027.

The controversial amendment was reversed on Thursday, reopening the battle for leadership positions in the 11th National Assembly.

The Senate had on Tuesday moved to tighten its internal rules, effectively narrowing the path to its most powerful offices and edging out a class of incoming lawmakers, including serving governors and former senators.

The motion for the reversal of the rule was sponsored by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.

The Leader of the Senate argued that the amendment was inconsistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Bamidele said: “The Senate Standing Order was amended on 5th May, 2026.

“Upon further legislative and constitutional review, certain conditions introduced under Order 2 Subsection 2, Order 3 subsection 1, may give rise to constitutional inconsistency and bring tension with the provision of the Constitution.

“The Standing Order should remain consistent with constitutional provision.”

After the Point of Order by the Leader of the Senate, lawmakers unanimously adopted the amendment at the session presided over by the Deputy President of the Senate, Jubril Barau.