In a significant development, the Senate has amended its standing rules, effectively preventing first-term senators from contesting the positions of Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
This amendment has a direct impact on the political ambitions of individuals like Abdulaziz Yari, the former governor of Zamfara State, who had harbored aspirations for these top roles.
The rule change means that senators in their first term, including Yari, can no longer vie for the positions of Senate President or Deputy Senate President in the 10th Senate.
Yari, who was a strong contender for the Senate President position against Godswill Akpabio, had used his “ranking” status as a member of the House of Representatives during the 6th National Assembly to contest the Senate President’s role but lost.
While some lawmakers had been contemplating an impeachment plot against Akpabio, which could potentially open the door for Yari, a majority of the senators decided to amend the rules.
This amendment categorically states that first-term senators, regardless of previous legislative experience in the House of Representatives, State House of Assembly, or at the local government level, are ineligible to run for the positions of Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
The specific amendment falls under Rule 3, subsection 2 – 1, 2, 3, and 4. It mandates that senators vying for the office of Senate President or Deputy Senate President must have served in the Senate at least once.
Additionally, other amendments to the standing rules were made to align with the functions and jurisdictions of new standing committees created in August. Notably, the Senate had expanded its standing committees from 63 to 74 on August 7th, but the inauguration of these committees is still pending, following established procedures and practices.
