By Anayo Akwitti
The Senate has reversed itself on recent amendments to its 2026 Standing Orders following concerns that some provisions were inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.
The reversal came on Wednesday after the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Baimdele moved a motion arguing that clauses under Order 2 Subsection 2 and Order 3 Subsection 1 could create constitutional inconsistencies, particularly with Section 52 of the Constitution.
The Senate Leader explained that the Senate has the parliamentary powers to rescind and recommit any decision in order to protect the integrity of its proceedings.
The motion was seconded by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of Abia South. The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau who presided over plenary, described the action as straightforward and necessary to ensure the Senate’s rules align with the Constitution, adding that no further debate was required on the matter.
However, Senator Adams Oshiomhole once again criticized the initial process, saying the amendments were rushed to meet the interests of certain individuals. He stressed that future rule changes should allow for proper debate to avoid such oversights.
The Senate Leader also raised a point of order under Rule 52(6) of the Standing Orders, warning against attempts to revisit concluded matters without a formal motion. He said the drama that occurred in the chamber the previous day had distracted from the Senate’s core legislative work and should not be repeated.
The Standing Orders regulate the conduct of proceedings in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
