The Senate has approved new rules that bar first-time senators from contesting for presiding and principal offices when the 11th National Assembly convenes in 2027.

The decision came after a three-hour closed-door session where lawmakers amended Orders 4 and 5 of the Senate Standing Rules. Under the new clause, only senators who served consecutively in the 9th and current 10th Senate will be eligible for leadership positions in the next Assembly. That effectively locks out freshers and returning politicians who were not part of the current 10th Senate.

Presiding offices refer to the Senate President and Deputy Senate President. Principal offices include the Senate Leader, Deputy Senate Leader, Chief Whip, Deputy Whip, Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader, Minority Whip, and Deputy Minority Whip.

Two-Term Requirement Now Mandatory

The amendment introduces a two-term minimum of eight years as a condition for anyone aspiring to become presiding officer, with at least one term served immediately before the election.

Deputy Senate Leader Oyelola Ashiru, who presented the amendment on behalf of Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, said the move is backed by Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the Senate to regulate its internal procedures.

“The review is meant to strengthen legislative processes, improve clarity, and bring Nigeria’s parliamentary practice in line with global standards,” Ashiru said during plenary.

“A Senator shall not be eligible to contest as a Presiding Officer unless he has been elected and served as a Senator for at least two terms of eight years, one term of which shall immediately precede such election,” he stated.

New Ranking Framework

Amended Order 4 now lays out a clear ranking order for nominations:

Former Senate President
Former Deputy Senate President
Former Principal Officers of the Senate
Senators who have served at least one four-year term
Former members of the House of Representatives
First-time senators, only if no one in categories i–v is available

Order 5 goes further by restricting principal office aspirants to senators who have served two consecutive terms immediately before nomination. That means senators who were not in the 9th and 10th Senate cannot run for top positions in the 11th Senate.

The revised rules also specify that only sworn-in senators can take part in proceedings, including voting during presiding officer elections. Other changes include set timelines for swearing in absent senators-elect, revised sitting schedules to improve productivity, and stricter disciplinary actions for misconduct.

Committee Reforms Added

The Senate also restructured committee operations to ensure equal representation across the six geopolitical zones and to align committee mandates with those of the House of Representatives. Several new committees were formally recognised, including those for livestock development, regional development commissions, and reparations.

Ashiru said these committees are key to boosting legislative oversight and advancing regional development and socio-economic justice. He warned that without the updates, the Senate risks procedural uncertainty and weaker oversight capacity.

“The amendments will promote procedural certainty, enhance inclusiveness, and strengthen oversight functions,” he added.

The Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole to adopt the amendments.