SENATE ABOLISHES RANKING RULE, REVIVES 2027 PRESIDENTIAL RACE

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By; Ganiyat Sunmola

ABUJA – The Senate has reversed its earlier decision made on Tuesday, withdrawing a controversial amendment that restricted first-time senators from contesting presiding offices, thereby reopening the contest for the Senate President and Deputy Senate President ahead of the 2027 National Assembly leadership race.

On Tuesday, the Senate had amended its Standing Orders after a lengthy executive session, introducing stricter eligibility rules for leadership positions in the 11th Senate. The changes had limited the race for key offices to returning ranking lawmakers, effectively excluding first-time senators from vying for top posts.

Under that earlier arrangement, preference would have been given to former Senate Presidents, former Deputy Senate Presidents, former principal officers, senators who had completed at least one full term, former members of the House of Representatives, and only in rare cases first-time senators where no senior candidates were available. It also stipulated that only returning senators from the 10th Assembly could contest for top leadership roles.

However, the Senate on Thursday reversed the amendment through a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) and presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.

With the reversal, the leadership contest for the 11th Senate is now open to all elected senators, regardless of experience or tenure.

The move is seen as shifting the political process towards a more open and competitive system for selecting the next Senate leadership, rather than one defined by ranking restrictions.

The motion, titled Recession and Re-Committal of Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended), was adopted during plenary.

Presenting the motion, Bamidele explained that a review of the earlier amendment raised constitutional concerns, particularly regarding potential inconsistencies with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He noted that the Senate has the authority to revisit and reverse its decisions to ensure alignment with constitutional provisions and parliamentary practice.

Following deliberations, the Senate resolved to rescind its earlier amendments to Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) of its Standing Orders.

Further details are expected to follow.