On October 3, the Senate made significant changes to its standing orders, effectively barring first-term senators from running for the positions of Senate president and deputy Senate president.
This decision came in response to Senator Abdulaziz Yari, a first-term senator and former Zamfara state governor, challenging Senator Godswill Akpabio for the Senate president role a few months prior.
Under the newly amended standing orders, first-term senators are no longer eligible to compete for the leadership positions within the Red Chambers. This amendment, involving rule 3(2) (1-3) of the Senate Standing Orders, was initiated by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader representing the APC from Ekiti Central.
The motion was titled: “Amendment of the Standing Orders of the Senate pursuant to Order 109 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2022 (As Amended).”
The revised Rule 3 of the Senate Standing Orders now stipulates that any senator aspiring to vie for the roles of Senate President and Deputy Senate President must have completed at least one term in the Senate.
Additionally, the Senate implemented changes to its rules by establishing nine new Standing Committees.
Currently, there are a total of 74 Standing Committees inthe Senate.