Senate amends rules, excludes new senators from leadership races

The Nigerian Senate has amended its standing rules, effectively restricting newly elected senators from contesting for key leadership positions in the forthcoming 11th National Assembly.

The amendment followed a motion presented by Deputy Senate Leader, Lola Ashiru (APC–Kwara), during plenary on Tuesday after a closed-door session that lasted nearly three hours.

According to the revised provisions, changes were made to Orders 4 and 5 of the Senate Standing Rules, introducing stricter eligibility criteria for both presiding and principal officers.

Under the amended Order 4, nominations for presiding officers—namely the Senate President and Deputy Senate President—must strictly follow a hierarchy based on legislative experience.

The ranking prioritises former Senate Presidents, former Deputy Senate Presidents, past principal officers, and senators with at least one full term in the Senate.

It also includes former members of the House of Representatives, while first-time senators are considered only as a last resort.

In addition, the revised Order 5 introduces a new requirement that bars any senator from contesting for principal offices unless they have served at least two consecutive terms in the Senate immediately before their nomination.

This effectively excludes lawmakers who were not members of the 9th and current 10th Senate from vying for leadership roles in the 11th Senate.

Principal officers affected by the new rule include the Senate Leader, Deputy Senate Leader, Chief Whip, Deputy Chief Whip, Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader, Minority Whip, and Deputy Minority Whip.

The move is widely seen as an effort to prioritise experience and continuity in the leadership structure of the Senate.