Senator Proposes Motion to Reverse Senate Rule Amendment

On Thursday, Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, representing Imo East Senatorial District, announced his intention to move a motion aimed at rescinding a recent amendment to the Senate Standing Orders that bars newly elected senators from contesting for presiding officer positions in the 11th National Assembly. Onyewuchi described the amendment as self-serving and unconstitutional, asserting that it poses a danger by attempting to predetermine the leadership structure of the next Senate.

He plans to formally present this motion in the Senate plenary, emphasizing that the amendment, adopted during a marathon executive session, violates clear constitutional provisions. According to Section 50 of the Nigerian Constitution, the presiding officers of the Senate should be elected by its members without additional conditions.

Onyewuchi argues that the amendment undermines democratic principles and erodes confidence in the electoral process for Senate leadership, warning that it could unfairly restrict the rights of senators to elect their leaders.