The political contest for the leadership of Nigeria’s 11th Senate took a dramatic turn on Thursday as senators reaffirmed their support for Senate President Godswill Akpabio, declaring that there would be no vacancy in the Senate presidency in the build-up to the 2027 general election. The declaration came during a…...
The political contest for the leadership of Nigeria’s 11th Senate took a dramatic turn on Thursday as senators reaffirmed their support for Senate President Godswill Akpabio, declaring that there would be no vacancy in the Senate presidency in the build-up to the 2027 general election.
The declaration came during a politically charged plenary session, amid growing speculation over the leadership of the next National Assembly following the inauguration of the Presidential Campaign Council.
Proceedings began with Akpabio addressing criticism of his remarks during Tuesday’s debate on a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria.
The Senate President had maintained that attempted suicide remains a criminal offence under existing Nigerian law until the relevant legislation is amended.
However, his suggestion that anyone attempting suicide had better succeed or risk imprisonment attracted widespread criticism, with some commentators describing the remarks as insensitive to people experiencing mental health challenges.
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Responding to the backlash, Akpabio cautioned against what he described as the misrepresentation of Senate proceedings, insisting that the criticism was politically motivated.
He suggested that some of those amplifying the controversy were interested in occupying the office of Senate President.
The development prompted Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, to reaffirm the support of lawmakers for Akpabio’s leadership.
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Monguno declared that there was no vacancy in the Senate presidency, extending the declaration to the leadership of the 11th Senate.
His position was supported by Senator Cyril Fasuyi, representing Ekiti North, who seconded the motion.
The matter was subsequently put to a voice vote, with lawmakers overwhelmingly responding in the affirmative.
The declaration comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, with attention gradually shifting towards the composition and leadership of the next National Assembly.
However, Thursday’s resolution raises questions about the extent to which the current Senate can influence the leadership of its successor.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional framework, the Senate President is elected by members of the Senate from among themselves, meaning the leadership of the 11th Senate will ultimately be determined by senators elected in the 2027 general election.
While Thursday’s declaration signals political support for Akpabio among serving lawmakers, it does not constitute a binding decision on who will preside over the next Senate.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the development suggests that the contest for the leadership of the 11th National Assembly may already be taking shape.
TVC News Online reports that Akpabio openly asked President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration of the APC PCC on Wednesday to support his bid for re-election as leader of the 11th Senate in 2027. In the same breath, he asked the president to discourage Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma from aspiring to replace him as Senate president.