11th National Assembly: Arewa group backs Akpabio, Abbas

The Convener of Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, has declared that there is no vacancy in the leadership positions of the National Assembly, backing Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for second terms in 2027.

Yakubu made the call while commending senators who have publicly endorsed Akpabio’s re-election, describing their support as a vote of confidence in his leadership and a sign of the need for continuity in the legislature.

The senators, including Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, and Senator Cyril Fasuyi, had expressed support for Akpabio’s return as Senate President, insisting that there was “no vacancy” in the office ahead of the inauguration of the 11th National Assembly in 2027.

Reacting to their position, Yakubu urged members of the House of Representatives to follow the senators’ example by supporting Abbas for a second term as Speaker.

“We also want to call on members of the House of Representatives to emulate the senators by backing the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, for his second-term bid because, as far as we are concerned, there is no vacancy in the respective top positions at the National Assembly,” he said.

He said the support for Akpabio reflected confidence in his leadership experience and capacity to sustain stability and effective administration in the Senate.

Yakubu specifically commended Monguno, Fasuyi and other senators who had openly declared support for the Senate President, saying their position underscored the importance of unity and collective responsibility in legislative governance.

He added that continuity in legislative leadership could strengthen democratic institutions and promote cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.

Yakubu, however, acknowledged that the final decision on the leadership of the 11th National Assembly would be made after the 2027 general elections, when newly elected lawmakers assemble to choose their principal officers.

He urged lawmakers and political stakeholders to sustain consultations and respect the constitutional and parliamentary procedures for electing the leadership of the next National Assembly.