If Akpabio Had His Way, I’d Be Locked Out of the Senate — Oshiomhole

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of harbouring a personal bias against him, alleging that the Senate leader is often suspicious of his interactions and influence within the National Assembly.

Speaking during the Sunday edition of Mic On Podcast, the former Edo State governor claimed that Akpabio becomes uncomfortable whenever he engages with certain senators and suggested that the Senate President would exclude him from Senate proceedings if he had the authority to do so.

Oshiomhole said he could not explain the reason behind what he described as Akpabio’s unfavourable disposition towards him, despite his longstanding role in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his contributions to President Bola Tinubu’s successful 2023 presidential campaign.

Reflecting on his political journey, Oshiomhole noted that he was a founding member of the APC and served as Deputy Director-General of the Tinubu Campaign Council.

“I worked for the victory and I am pleased that we achieved it,” he said.

The senator alleged that Akpabio remains overly suspicious of him and believes he is a political threat.

“Everybody in the Senate knows that if Senator Akpabio had his way, he would lock me out of the Senate because he has convinced himself that I am probably the devil he knows. There are many angels he does not know,” Oshiomhole remarked.

He also predicted that the leadership dynamics in the next Senate would be markedly different from the current arrangement, claiming that several lawmakers were unhappy with Akpabio’s leadership approach.

According to him, many senators have privately expressed concerns about the way the Senate is being managed, although they continue to work together in the interest of the institution.

“The 11th Senate will not be like the 10th. It cannot be. Senators are grumbling about his style of leadership, but we try to manage,” he said.

Oshiomhole further stated that he had repeatedly assured Akpabio that he was content with his political achievements and had no personal ambitions that should warrant suspicion.

“I am a fulfilled person. Whatever responsibility I am given, I ask God for the courage and wisdom to discharge it in a manner that satisfies my constituents,” he added.

The lawmaker also recounted an incident involving Senator Abdulaziz Yari, alleging that Akpabio once joked that Yari’s interest in serving as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior was part of a broader plan to remove him from office.

Highlighting the nature of Senate leadership, Oshiomhole stressed that the Senate President remains accountable to fellow lawmakers and occupies the position through the support of a majority of senators.

“The Senate President is first among equals. Only those favoured by senators are elected,” he said.

He noted that Senator Yari could have emerged Senate President had he secured sufficient support from his colleagues.

“It is not about what any individual wants; it is about who the senators choose,” Oshiomhole stated.