The Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday declined to declare interest in contesting for Senate President in 2027, insisting that his immediate priority is securing re-election to the Senate.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television amid speculation over the 2027 Senate leadership, Oshiomhole said it would amount to “playing God” to discuss occupying the Senate President’s seat before winning re-election.
The former Edo State governor noted that his current mandate was nearing expiration and that his focus remained on retaining his seat in the upper chamber.
“So now, my current tenure will end at the end of this session. I am applying for renewal. I cannot take the people of Edo North for granted,” he said.
He added, “Right now, I have applied. And you can ask me, do you want to be a senator again? I will say yes. What is the evidence? I have applied. Not only that, I have been screened and on Monday, I will be going for primaries.”
When repeatedly pressed on whether he aspired to become Senate President in 2027, Oshiomhole declined to give a direct response.
“I would not join you to play God,” he said, adding, “I have not been re-elected, and then you’re asking me what I’d like to be.”
The senator also described himself as “a very contented person.”
His remarks come amid tension in the Senate following a recent clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary, barely 24 hours after the upper chamber amended its standing rules to tighten eligibility for presiding offices.
The disagreement reportedly began when Akpabio began reading the Votes and Proceedings of a previous sitting and Oshiomhole raised a point of order.
Akpabio, however, reminded him that such interventions were not permitted at that stage under the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended).
Despite clarifications from former Chief Whip Orji Kalu and warnings from Senate Whip Tahir Monguno, Oshiomhole reportedly persisted.
Akpabio thereafter cautioned him against disorderly conduct, saying: “Oshiomhole, if you become unruly, we will use the rules to take you out of the Senate.”
The Senate subsequently continued plenary without further disruption.
Under the amended rules, only senators who have served at least two consecutive terms immediately preceding nomination are eligible to contest for presiding and principal offices in the Senate.
The amendment effectively disqualifies first-term senators, including Oshiomhole, from contesting for presiding offices in the 11th Senate.
