Senator Adams Oshiomhole has explained why he questioned the timing of recent amendments to the Senate standing rules, saying the absence of key principal officers during the process raised concerns for him.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV while addressing the controversy surrounding changes to Senate procedures and eligibility requirements for leadership positions, Oshiomhole said he became uncomfortable with how the amendments were introduced and processed.
The former Edo State governor argued that lawmakers should not rush important legislative decisions without proper scrutiny. According to him, senators ought to receive copies of proposed amendments in advance to study them carefully and compare them with existing laws and constitutional provisions before they are debated and passed.
Reflecting on the events surrounding the controversial amendment, Oshiomhole said he had procedural objections, particularly regarding how points of order were handled on the Senate floor. He maintained that proper debate and division of the chamber should take place when major issues are being decided to ensure transparency and accountability.
Expressing his reservations about the circumstances under which the rule changes occurred, Oshiomhole stated, “I was suspicious because the deputy senate president and the senate leader were absent when the controversial changes were introduced.” The senator said the absence of the two senior officers raised questions in his mind about the intention behind the timing of the amendments.
According to Oshiomhole, the Deputy Senate President was reportedly away on an engagement in Kano, while the Senate Leader was also unavailable when the matter came up for deliberation. He argued that introducing significant rule changes in the absence of such principal officers naturally raised concerns.
Oshiomhole further maintained that legislative rules should not be altered to target specific individuals or create perceived political advantages, warning that such actions could undermine democratic principles in the long run.
Watch the video from 9:18 to 9:35
