The Senate on Thursday reversed its controversial amendment to the Standing Orders that had restricted eligibility for the office of Senate President to lawmakers serving in the 10th Senate, a move that effectively restores the chances of several aspirants, including Governor Hope Uzodimma, ahead of the 2027 political permutations.
The reversal followed a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and adopted during plenary presided over by Deputy Senate President, Jubril Barau.
The earlier amendment had stipulated that only senators who had served two terms, with one being the immediate preceding term, would qualify to contest for principal offices in the upper chamber. The rule was widely interpreted as a move to limit the number of contenders for the Senate presidency and other leadership positions.
However, with Thursday’s reversal, the Senate has restored broader eligibility, allowing more lawmakers, including former governors and returning senators, to contest for principal offices when the leadership contest begins.
The development is expected to reignite political calculations within the National Assembly and strengthen the prospects of politicians previously affected by the restriction, including Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, whose rumoured Senate Presidency ambition had reportedly suffered a setback under the amended rules.
