The Senate has openly disowned comments credited to Senator Adams Oshiomhole in which he allegedly described the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” insisting that the statement does not reflect the position of the Red Chamber.
The development came during Thursday’s plenary session, where lawmakers moved to clarify that Oshiomhole’s remarks were his personal views and not the official stance, resolution, finding, or decision of the Senate.
The position of the Chamber was contained in resolutions adopted after a motion presented by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.
The Senate further stated that no committee of the National Assembly has the authority to issue, approve, or execute a warrant of arrest unless it strictly complies with the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and obtains the express approval of the Senate President.
The resolutions were passed less than 24 hours after the Senate Committee on Public Accounts reportedly considered recommending the arrest of former NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, over allegations that he repeatedly ignored invitations from the Committee.
During debate on the motion, several lawmakers condemned the remarks attributed to Oshiomhole, describing them as inappropriate attacks on public officials.
The Senate stressed that the comments should be regarded solely as the Senator’s personal opinion and not that of the institution.
Among those who spoke were Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, who warned the Edo North Senator against making statements capable of damaging the credibility of public institutions.
They urged lawmakers to remain guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Senate Standing Orders while carrying out their legislative duties.
The upper chamber also reaffirmed its commitment to due process, legislative discipline, and adherence to established legal procedures in the discharge of its oversight responsibilities.
Some senators additionally called on Oshiomhole to publicly retract the statement.
*Oshiomhole Says He Was Provoked*
Responding to criticisms from his colleagues, Adams Oshiomhole defended his comments, arguing that he reacted after lawmakers were allegedly disparaged and accused by NNPCL officials.
“I acted under provocation because distinguished members were being attacked without any proof of the allegations being made. We are knowledgeable of the rules and not ignorant of them,” he said.
The former Edo State Governor added that he would not object if the Senate ultimately directed him to apologise.
“If it is the view of the Senate that I should apologise, I have no problem with that,” he stated.
Oshiomhole maintained that his intention was to protect the image of the Senate and defend lawmakers against what he considered disrespectful remarks.
According to him, senators were accused of lacking patriotism and of influencing recruitment within the NNPC, allegations he said prompted his reaction.
“Rather than provide answers, we were told that senators do not have a monopoly on patriotism and were accused of recommending their children for employment in NNPC. The lawmakers were denigrated, and I reacted in defence of the Senate,” he said.
The Senator also questioned why his name was singled out, noting that he neither sponsored nor moved the motion seeking a warrant of arrest against Kyari.
He further recalled that the Senate had earlier considered allegations surrounding an unaccounted ₦210 trillion referenced in a report by the Auditor-General of the Federation and subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Public Accounts.
According to Oshiomhole, lawmakers were informed that Kyari failed to appear before the Committee despite being invited.
The debate briefly became heated after the Senate Chief Whip raised a point of order, urging Oshiomhole to limit his comments to the matter before the chamber. The exchange caused a short-lived uproar before Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, intervened to restore calm.
Akpabio reminded senators that the motion under consideration was specifically focused on Oshiomhole’s alleged unparliamentary remarks and the controversy surrounding the reported issuance of a warrant of arrest without following due process.
