Nigeria, May 6 -- The Senate on Tuesday amended its rules to allow only senators who have spent at least eight years in the chamber to contest for the positions of Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

The amendment further stipulates that such years of service must be two consecutive terms immediately preceding the nomination.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the amendment after a majority of senators adopted it through a voice vote during plenary.

The new provision effectively means that only members of the current Senate who have completed at least eight consecutive years in the chamber will be eligible to contest for presiding offices after the 2027 general elections.

The upper chamber, under Mr Akpabio's ...