There was a dramatic moment on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday as Edo North lawmaker Adams Oshiomhole went ballistic, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s leadership of turning the red chamber into a rubber stamp for the presidency.
The former Edo State governor, visibly enraged, slammed the Senate for “rushing through bills like pure water” without proper debate or scrutiny.
“I’m seriously troubled by the way we are making these laws. These documents were just circulated – four bills at once. Even if we are geniuses, how can anyone make a meaningful contribution in one minute? We are not meant to rubber-stamp. I want it on record that I am deeply concerned by this haste and lack of scrutiny,” he said.
His outburst came during the consideration of four concurrence bills from the House of Representatives, including amendments to the NECO Act, and the establishment of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies, the Nigeria Weights and Measures Regulatory Agency, and the Chartered Institute of Training and Development of Nigeria.
In what was shocking to many, the bills were read and passed in one sitting after being presented by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided, called for a quick voice vote, and the bills sailed through effortlessly.
But Oshiomhole was having none of it. He stood up, took a jab at the leadership, and tore into the process.
“If this is how we will continue, then we don’t need a bicameral legislature. One chamber could simply pass laws for both,” he fumed.
He questioned the logic behind some of the proposed agencies, especially the Chartered Institute of Training and Development of Nigeria, describing it as unnecessary duplication.
“What exactly is ‘training and development’ in this context?” he asked. “When we keep creating laws for every type of training or development, it makes no sense. Laws are not motions; they are serious matters interpreted by the courts. This rush trivializes lawmaking.”
The chamber fell silent. Some senators nodded quietly. Others looked away.
But Oshiomhole’s words hit hard, strengthening
a growing belief that the Akpabio-led Senate has become too submissive to the presidency.
Since the 10th Senate was inaugurated in June 2023, critics have accused it of being too cozy with the executive, passing controversial bills with little resistance.
Akpabio, however, has always denied the “rubber stamp” tag.
“Our relationship with the executive is frank and firm,” he said recently. “It will remain so regardless of the administration’s policies.”
But Oshiomhole’s tirade forced the chamber to take action.
Presiding officer Barau Jibrin admitted that the senator had raised valid points and directed the Rules and Business Committee to change its ways.
“Chairman of Rules and Business, ensure that senators receive these bills at least two days before debate,” he ordered.
Still, he defended the quick process for concurrence bills, saying they’ve already been vetted by the House of Representatives. Yet he conceded: “Senator Oshiomhole is right. Even though concurrence bills have passed through due process in the House, we must also do our own scrutiny.”
