Fresh cracks have emerged in the leadership of the Senate as Senator Adams Oshiomhole has openly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of being biased against him and allegedly treating him as an enemy within the Red Chamber.
Speaking during an appearance on Mic On Podcast, the senator representing Edo North claimed that Akpabio is uncomfortable with his presence and would gladly keep him out of the Senate if he had the power to do so.
According to Oshiomhole, despite his contributions to the ruling APC and President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 election victory, the Senate President remains suspicious of his intentions.
“Everybody in the Senate knows that if Senator Akpabio had his way, he would lock me out of the Senate. He has convinced himself that I am probably the devil he knows. There are many angels he doesn’t know,” Oshiomhole said.
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The former Edo State governor recalled his role as a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Deputy Director-General of Tinubu’s campaign council, stressing that he worked tirelessly for the party’s success.
Senators Grumbling Over Akpabio’s Leadership, Says Oshiomhole
In what appears to be one of his strongest criticisms yet, Oshiomhole claimed that several senators are unhappy with Akpabio’s style of leadership and hinted that future Senate leadership arrangements could look very different.
“The 11th Senate will not be like the 10th. It cannot be. Senators are already grumbling about his leadership style, but we are trying to manage the situation,” he stated.
He, however, maintained that he harbours no personal ambition against the Senate President and remains focused on serving his constituents.
‘He Gets Nervous When I Speak to Certain Senators’
Oshiomhole further alleged that Akpabio becomes uneasy whenever he holds discussions with some lawmakers.
To support his claim, he narrated an incident involving Senator Abdulaziz Yari, who reportedly sought to become Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, which Oshiomhole currently chairs.
According to him, Akpabio jokingly suggested that Yari wanted the position to team up with Oshiomhole and plot his removal as Senate President.
“Senator Yari approached him and said he wanted to be Vice Chairman of the Interior Committee. Akpabio replied, ‘So you want to join Senator Oshiomhole to plan how to remove me as Senate President?’ I simply laughed it off,” he said.
Senate Presidency Not a Personal Throne
Oshiomhole also reminded his colleagues that the Senate President remains “first among equals” and holds office only through the support of fellow lawmakers.
He argued that Senate leadership is determined by the collective decision of senators and not by the wishes of any individual.
“Anyone who gets the majority support of senators can become Senate President. It is about who the senators want, not personal desires,” he added.
Controversy Follows NNPCL Remarks
The latest comments come amid tensions sparked by Oshiomhole’s recent criticism of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which he controversially described as “a bunch of criminals and thieves.”
Following the remarks, the Senate quickly distanced itself from the statement, insisting that Oshiomhole spoke in his personal capacity and not on behalf of the upper legislative chamber.
The Senate also recently clarified procedures for issuing warrants of arrest after reports emerged that the Senate Committee on Public Accounts had recommended the arrest of former NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, for allegedly ignoring invitations from the committee.
Akpabio’s Camp Yet to Respond
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to get a response from Akpabio’s media aide, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, were unsuccessful.
Calls and messages seeking clarification on Oshiomhole’s allegations were not returned.
NewKwara Media Online reports that the latest exchange is likely to fuel further debate over the leadership dynamics within the Senate as political observers continue to monitor developments in the National Assembly.
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