Oshiomhole Accuses Senate President Akpabio of Paranoia and Bias

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of harbouring unfounded suspicion and bias against him, despite his contributions to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the electoral victory of President Bola Tinubu.

Oshiomhole recalled his role as a founding governor of the APC and deputy director‑general of Tinubu’s Campaign Council, saying he worked hard for the victory and is satisfied with the outcome.

He claimed Akpabio is “so paranoid about anything that has to do with me” and believes the Senate President would lock him out of the Senate if given the chance, having convinced himself that Oshiomhole is “the devil he knows.”

The senator stressed that he remains focused on serving his constituents and harbours no personal ambitions that should concern the Senate President.

Oshiomhole predicted that the leadership of the 11th Senate will differ markedly from the current one, citing growing dissatisfaction among senators over Akpabio’s style.

He noted that senators often grumble about the Senate President’s approach, but they try to manage the situation; he told Akpabio that he is a “very fulfilled person.”

Whatever assignment he receives, Oshiomhole said he asks God for courage and wisdom to fulfil it to the satisfaction of his constituents, adding that Akpabio’s bias against him is widely known.

The former governor also said Akpabio becomes uncomfortable whenever he engages in discussions with certain lawmakers. He cited an incident involving Senator Abdulaziz Yari, who sought the vice‑chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Interior—a panel Oshiomhole chairs.

According to Oshiomhole, Akpabio told Yari, “So you want to join Senator Oshiomhole to plan how to remove me as Senate President?” Oshiomhole said he simply laughed the remark off.

He reminded colleagues that the Senate President is “first among equals” and is elected by the will of senators; if Yari had secured the majority, he could have become Senate President himself.

The remarks follow the Senate’s public distancing from Oshiomhole’s description of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited as “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” with the chamber clarifying that those were his personal views.

Additionally, the Senate adopted a motion sponsored by Leader Opeyemi Bamidele stating that no committee may issue or execute an arrest warrant without strict compliance with the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and the Senate President’s approval. The resolution came after the Public Accounts Committee recommended a warrant for former NNPC Group CEO Mele Kyari over alleged non‑compliance with committee invitations.