Fresh cracks may be emerging within the leadership of the Senate as Senator Adams Oshiomhole has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of harbouring deep suspicions and personal bias against him.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, alleged that Akpabio sees him as an enemy and would, if given the opportunity, prevent him from participating in the affairs of the Senate.
The former Edo State governor made the claims during the Sunday edition of MIC ON PODCAST, where he spoke extensively on his relationship with the Senate President, internal dynamics within the Red Chamber and growing dissatisfaction among lawmakers over the current style of leadership.
His remarks come amid controversy surrounding his recent criticism of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which drew a formal response from the Senate distancing itself from his comments.
Speaking during the interview, Oshiomhole said he had made significant contributions to the formation and electoral success of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and had expected to be judged fairly on that basis.
He recalled his role as one of the founding figures of the APC and his involvement in President Bola Tinubu’s presidential campaign.
“Don’t forget that I was a founding governor of the APC and Deputy Director-General of Bola Tinubu Campaign Council that gave us victory,” he said.
“I’m not saying I am responsible for the victory, but I worked for it, and I’m happy we got it.”
Despite this, Oshiomhole claimed that Akpabio remains uncomfortable with him and often interprets his actions through the lens of suspicion.
“He is so paranoid about anything that has to do with me,” Oshiomhole said.
“Everybody in the Senate knows that if Senator Akpabio had his way, he would lock me out of the Senate because he has misled himself into thinking that I am probably the devil he knows. There are many angels he doesn’t know.”
The former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress said he had repeatedly assured the Senate President that he had no hidden agenda and had no personal ambition beyond serving his constituents.
According to him, his focus remains on performing his legislative duties effectively and honourably.
“I’ve tried to assure him that, ‘Look, Mr Senate President, I am a very fulfilled person,'” he stated.
“Whatever job I am given to do, I ask God to give me courage and even greater wisdom to do that job to the satisfaction of my constituents.”
He insisted that Akpabio’s alleged bias against him was widely known among senators but declined to speculate on the reasons behind it.
“The Senate President’s bias against me is very well known. I will not join in speculating as to the reason for his bias,” he said.
Oshiomhole also predicted that the leadership arrangement in the next Senate would not mirror what currently exists in the 10th Senate.
According to him, many lawmakers are unhappy with the style of leadership in the chamber.
“The 11th Senate will not be like the 10th. This I can say. It can’t be,” he declared.
“Senators are grumbling about his style of leadership. But we try to manage.”
Although he did not provide details of the grievances, his comments suggest that not all lawmakers are comfortable with how the Senate is currently being run.
The senator further alleged that Akpabio becomes uneasy whenever he interacts with certain members of the Red Chamber.
To illustrate his point, he narrated an encounter involving former Zamfara State Governor and Senator representing Zamfara West, Abdulaziz Yari.
According to Oshiomhole, Yari had approached the Senate President to seek appointment as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, which Oshiomhole currently chairs.
However, he claimed that Akpabio interpreted the request differently.
“Senator Yari approached the Senate President and said that he wanted to be the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior,” Oshiomhole said.
“The Senate President said to him, ‘So you want to join Senator Oshiomhole to plan how to remove me as Senate President?’ But I just laughed it off.”
He used the incident to argue that the office of the Senate President is not absolute and ultimately depends on the support of fellow senators.
“If you understand the way the Senate works, the Senate President is first among equals,” he explained.
“Only the persons favoured by the senators are elected.”
He added that leadership in the Senate is determined by majority support rather than personal wishes.
“Remember, if Senator Yari had got the majority, he could have become the Senate President. It is not about what anybody wishes. It is about who the senators want,” he said.
Oshiomhole’s latest comments come just days after the Senate publicly distanced itself from his description of the NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves.”
The remark had generated controversy and prompted concerns that it reflected the position of the upper legislative chamber.
During plenary last week, however, the Senate adopted a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, clarifying that Oshiomhole’s comments represented his personal views and not those of the institution.
The Senate also reaffirmed procedures governing the exercise of its powers.
Lawmakers stated that no Senate committee has the authority to issue, approve or execute a warrant of arrest without complying with the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and obtaining the express approval of the Senate President.
The resolution followed reports that the Senate Committee on Public Accounts had recommended a warrant of arrest against former NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, over his alleged failure to honour invitations by the committee.
The latest exchange has once again drawn attention to the often complex power dynamics within Nigeria’s National Assembly.
While disagreements among lawmakers are not unusual in democratic institutions, Oshiomhole’s public criticism of the Senate President has exposed tensions that many observers believe could shape future leadership contests within the Red Chamber.
Whether Akpabio chooses to respond to the allegations remains to be seen. However, Oshiomhole’s remarks have already fuelled fresh debate about unity, leadership style and the direction of the Senate as the country moves closer to another political cycle.