‘Step by Step’- Oshiomhole addresses claims to unseat Akpabio as Senate President

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has made it clear that he is not positioning himself for the Senate President’s seat.

The former Edo State governor emphasised that his immediate concern is securing another term in the National Assembly, dismissing the talk of a leadership bid as premature and misplaced.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Oshiomhole addressed recent claims that he could be aiming to replace Senate President Godswill Akpabio, declaring that discussions about the Senate presidency are far too early.

His priority, he stressed, is to seek re-election and focus on the democratic process in his constituency, rather than entertain assumptions about future ambitions.

Oshiomhole questioned the basis of such claims, stating, “When? Have I been elected yet?” and reminded viewers that his current mandate as Senator representing Edo North would soon expire, with the next election cycle looming.

In an analogy drawing from family life, he shared how his parents taught him never to pray for a child before marriage, emphasising that political ambition should follow due process and not presumptions. “You cannot skip the steps. Right now, my focus is to renew my mandate,” he stated.

The senator revealed that his current term would come to an end with the closing of the current legislative session in June, and he has already applied for re-election and undergone screening in preparation for his party’s primaries. “My current tenure will end at the end of this session, on June 12 or 13. Now I have applied for renewal, and I can’t take the people of Edo North for granted,” he said.

Acknowledging the uncertainty and challenges of politics, Oshiomhole stressed that his immediate goal is to win the party primary before considering any further ambitions, including the Senate Presidency. “So, my priority right now is to win the primary election, then focus on the general election, not the Senate Presidency,” he clarified.

He added that those who overestimate their personal strength or act without the fear of God are the ones who jump to conclusions and project themselves into positions they have not yet earned. “I think we should take it step by step,” he said. “Right now, my current mandate is about to expire, and I’m working hard to get a renewal of that mandate. I will not join in playing God.”

While there has been no official indication that Akpabio’s position is under threat, various names have surfaced as potential contenders for the Senate Presidency should there be a shift in leadership after the next elections.