Senate amended rules introduce stricter oath-taking deadlines and tougher eligibility conditions for presiding officers

The Senate of Nigeria has amended its Standing Orders to impose stricter rules on oath-taking by senators-elect and tighten eligibility requirements for aspirants seeking to become Senate President or Deputy Senate President ahead of the 2027 political cycle.

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Under the revised Senate amended rules, senators-elect who fail to take their Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Membership within 14 legislative days after the inauguration of a new Senate risk losing their seats.

The amendments, which are expected to significantly influence the battle for the Senate presidency in 2027, also retained the controversial provision restricting eligibility for presiding officers to ranking lawmakers who would have completed at least two Senate terms.

According to the revised Rule 2(e), any senator-elect unable to take the oath on the first sitting of the Senate may still be sworn in at a later sitting by the Senate President, provided the process is completed within 14 legislative days from inauguration.

The amendment further states that where a senator-elect “fails, neglects or is unable” to take the oath within the stipulated period, the Senate may declare the seat vacant and notify the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh election in the affected senatorial district.

The provision is widely viewed as an attempt to prevent prolonged vacancies caused by litigation, political disputes or delayed appearances by elected lawmakers after inauguration.

The Senate also retained tougher eligibility conditions for lawmakers aspiring to become presiding officers.

Under the new Rule 3, only senators who have served at least two full terms of eight years, with one term immediately preceding the election, can contest for Senate President or Deputy Senate President.

The amendment effectively narrows the field for the 2027 leadership contest to lawmakers currently serving in the 10th Senate who secure re-election into the 11th Senate.

The revised rule further clarified that ranking status would continue to determine eligibility hierarchy, placing returning senators ahead of former members of the House of Representatives and first-time senators.

The chamber, however, reversed an earlier amendment that required senators-elect to be sworn in before participating in the election of presiding officers.

The rescinded provision had sparked concerns over possible constitutional conflicts with existing parliamentary procedures.

The reverted rule now states that a senator-elect may participate in the election of the Senate President and Deputy Senate President before taking the prescribed constitutional oath.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Legal Matters and Human Rights, Adeniyi Adegbomire, explained that the Senate decided to maintain its long-standing parliamentary tradition to avoid legal controversy.

“In the past, you didn’t have to be sworn in before you vote for the Senate President and Deputy Senate President,” Adegbomire said.

“Members were of the opinion that the constitution says ‘you may,’ so that there won’t be any controversy thereafter, we decided to revert to the old Order.”

Similarly, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said making oath-taking compulsory before voting could create constitutional inconsistencies, particularly regarding Section 52 of the 1999 Constitution.

The amendment initially represented a sharp departure from long-standing parliamentary practice where senators-elect first elect presiding officers under the supervision of the Clerk of the National Assembly before taking their oaths.

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Other changes approved by the Senate include adjustments to sitting hours, committee representation across geopolitical zones, suspension procedures and the establishment of new committees on Livestock Development, Reparations and Repatriations, as well as regional development commissions.