The Senate has reversed its controversial amendment to the Standing Orders that restricted the contest for top leadership positions to ranking lawmakers, reopening the race for Senate President and other principal offices ahead of the 2027 political transition.
The reversal came barely 48 hours after the upper chamber amended its rules to bar first-time senators from contesting for presiding offices, including Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
Under the earlier amendment, only senators returning from the current 10th National Assembly and those with ranking status would have been eligible to contest for the top positions in the 11th Senate. The hierarchy also prioritised former Senate Presidents, former Deputy Senate Presidents, former Principal Officers, ranking senators, and lawmakers transitioning from the House of Representatives.
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However, during Thursday’s plenary, lawmakers rescinded the decision following concerns that parts of the amendment could conflict with constitutional provisions and parliamentary conventions. The motion for reversal was sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and presided over by Deputy Senate President Jubril Barau.
Bamidele explained that the Senate needed to ensure its Standing Orders remained fully aligned with the 1999 Constitution and existing legislative practices. He argued that retaining the controversial provisions could create constitutional inconsistencies and unnecessary political tensions within the chamber.
With the reversal, all elected senators, regardless of ranking status or tenure, are once again eligible to contest for Senate leadership positions in the next Assembly. Political observers say the development has effectively reopened permutations and power negotiations ahead of the 2027 elections.
The move also signals a possible shift within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) towards a more open leadership contest rather than restricting the race through internal parliamentary rules.
The earlier amendment had generated sharp reactions among lawmakers and political stakeholders, with critics warning that it could unfairly sideline newly elected senators and reduce internal democratic competition within the National Assembly.
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