According to documents titled “Orders of the Day” for the November 18, 2025 plenary, Majority Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele had sponsored a motion seeking the “presentation and consideration of amendments to the Senate Standing Orders 2023 to accommodate new committees and enhance legislative practice.”
Senate leadership argued that the updates were necessary to reflect new national realities, harmonise jurisdictions with House of Representatives committees, and address issues such as participation of Senators-elect in choosing presiding officers, qualifications and ranking for presiding positions, sitting times, disciplinary rules, and committee representation.
However, the session quickly deteriorated. Senator Moro raised a Point of Order 108, insisting that the process being adopted for the amendment violated due legislative procedure. His challenge triggered heated exchanges across the chamber.
Multiple sources told SaharaReporters that many lawmakers believed the proposed amendment was an attempt to sideline certain senators from contesting or voting in future Senate leadership elections.
“The Senate was trying to change the rule to bar some senators from contesting or participating in the election of presiding officers,” one source said.
The pushback was overwhelming, forcing the Senate leadership to step down the motion.
Another senior lawmaker told SaharaReporters that several senators viewed the proposal as a political weapon disguised as a procedural reform.
For now, the controversial amendment stands suspended, but tensions remain high within the upper chamber.
