Former Edo Governor Claims Senate President Harbours Bias and Distrust Amid Growing Claims of Internal Legislative Friction
By Umar Baba / June 15, 2026
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Fresh tensions have emerged within Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber following explosive allegations by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of harbouring paranoia and sustaining a personal bias that could, in his words, have led to his arrest or political sidelining if unchecked.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North in the Senate and is a former governor of Edo State, made the claims during an interview on the MIC ON Podcast aired on Sunday, where he spoke extensively about his relationship with the Senate leadership and the internal dynamics of the chamber.
The remarks add a new layer to growing public discourse around leadership style, power relations, and alleged internal dissatisfaction within the 10th Senate.
Allegations of Political Bias and Personal Friction
Oshiomhole alleged that Senate President Akpabio has consistently viewed him with suspicion, despite what he described as his longstanding contributions to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the electoral success of President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, his role in the political machinery that produced the current administration has been unfairly downplayed within the Senate leadership structure.
“I was a founding governor of the APC and Deputy Director-General of the Bola Tinubu Campaign Council,” he said, stressing that while he does not claim sole responsibility for the electoral victory, he played a significant role in its outcome.
He further alleged that Akpabio’s perception of him is shaped by distrust and mischaracterisation.
“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 convinced himself that I am the devil he knows.”
He added that what he described as internal bias had created discomfort in legislative interactions.
Claims of Rising Tension Within the Senate
The former APC national chairman suggested that the current Senate leadership is facing internal dissatisfaction among lawmakers, hinting that changes could emerge in the next legislative cycle.
He projected that the current leadership structure may not survive beyond the 10th Senate, claiming that senators have privately expressed concerns about leadership style and management of the chamber.
“The 11th Senate will not be like the 10th,” he stated, adding that there is growing “grumbling” among lawmakers regarding leadership conduct.
While he stopped short of detailing specific grievances, his comments suggest underlying tensions within Nigeria’s highest legislative body.
Internal Disputes and Committee-Level Flashpoint
Oshiomhole also recounted an alleged incident involving the Senate Committee on Interior, where he serves as chairman.
According to him, a request by Senator Abdulaziz Yari to serve as vice-chairman of the committee reportedly triggered suspicion from the Senate President.
He claimed Akpabio interpreted the interaction as a potential political alliance aimed at undermining his leadership.
“The Senate President said, ‘So you want to join Senator Oshiomhole to plan how to remove me as Senate President?’” he recounted.
Oshiomhole dismissed the allegation, describing it as a misunderstanding of routine legislative engagement and committee assignments.
Balancing Loyalty and Legislative Independence
Despite the accusations, Oshiomhole maintained that he remains committed to his legislative responsibilities and national service, stressing that he has no personal agenda against the Senate leadership.
He emphasized that he approaches every assignment with a sense of duty to his constituents and a reliance on what he described as divine guidance.
“I ask God to give me courage and wisdom to perform any job assigned to me,” he said.
He also noted that he has made efforts to manage tensions and maintain professionalism within the Senate, even in the face of perceived bias.
Silence from Senate Leadership
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from Senate President Godswill Akpabio or the leadership of the National Assembly regarding Oshiomhole’s allegations.
The absence of an immediate reaction has left room for speculation and heightened political commentary across party lines and within legislative circles.
Political observers note that public disagreements between senior lawmakers of the ruling party are relatively rare and often signal deeper internal realignments or ideological divisions.
Broader Political Implications
The exchange highlights increasing scrutiny of leadership dynamics within Nigeria’s 10th Senate, where issues of trust, committee control, and internal cohesion have occasionally surfaced.
Analysts say such public allegations, if left unresolved, could affect legislative productivity and further deepen factional tendencies within the chamber.
It also raises broader questions about the balance between political loyalty and institutional independence in Nigeria’s democratic framework.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s remarks have opened a new chapter in ongoing conversations about leadership tensions within the Nigerian Senate. While the allegations remain one-sided pending a formal response, they underscore a climate of political sensitivity and internal unease within the upper legislative chamber. As reactions build, attention will now turn to whether Senate leadership addresses the claims or allows the controversy to escalate further within Nigeria’s political space.
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