Power Play: Senate Seals Akpabio's 2027 Presidency, Declares 'No Vacancy!'

The 10th Senate has unequivocally declared its support for Senate President Godswill Akpabio's return as the presiding officer of the 11th National Assembly, with prominent figures such as Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno (representing Borno North) and Senator Cyril Fasuyi (representing Ekiti North) asserting that there is "no vacancy" in the Senate presidency. During a recent plenary session, Senator Monguno expressed strong confidence that Akpabio would retain his position, proclaiming, "Insha Allah, by the grace of God, the majority of us are going to make it back to the Senate, and this seat is hereby declared: there is no vacancy." This declaration was further extended to encompass the offices of the Deputy Senate President and other principal officers, signaling a broad consensus among the lawmakers.

Senator Fasuyi echoed this sentiment, firmly backing Akpabio's aspiration for a second term and insisting that the Senate presidency in the upcoming Assembly is already occupied. "I hereby support the motion ably moved by Senator Monguno that the seat of the Senate President in the 11th Assembly is not open to any contest. It is already occupied by Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio," Fasuyi affirmed. Following these declarations, Senate President Akpabio sought the chamber's general view, calling for those in support to say "aye." The response was audibly unanimous, with no opposing voices recorded, prompting Akpabio to conclude, "I think that settles it." It is noteworthy that Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, is also in the senatorial contest and seeking to emerge as the next Senate President, though the leadership of the 11th National Assembly will ultimately be determined through a formal election process.

In addition to the expressions of support for his leadership, Akpabio utilized the plenary session to caution Nigerians against misinterpreting legislative debates, particularly those concerning sensitive issues such as whether suicide should remain a criminal offense. He urged commentators to differentiate between individual contributions during debates and the final decisions made by the Senate. "When we discuss here, we discuss for and against, and in the course of our discussions, whatever we say should not anger anybody outside this chamber, because at the end, what matters is our final decision," Akpabio stated. This warning came in the wake of public reactions to comments made during deliberations on the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), which scaled its second reading. The bill spurred debate on whether survivors of suicide attempts should face prosecution or receive medical and psychological support. Akpabio emphasized that lawmakers must be free to express diverse views without fear of misinterpretation or reputational damage, advocating for a focus on the Senate's conclusive resolutions over politically motivated interpretations of ongoing discussions.

Furthermore, the Senate President robustly rejected any attempt to associate terrorism with specific religions, asserting that acts of violence should never be used to stigmatize religious communities. "Terrorists are not Muslims. Terrorists are not Christians. Terrorists are human beings who believe in taking their lives and the lives of others," he declared. Akpabio highlighted that Islam prohibits suicide and killing, countering claims about suicide bombers expecting paradise rewards as misrepresentations of the religion. He stressed the importance of distinguishing between suicide committed due to mental health challenges and intentional acts of self-harm or harm to others, emphasizing the Senate's goal to enact laws that address societal challenges comprehensively.

Akpabio also took the opportunity to defend his consistent record of fostering relationships across religious lines, citing his actions during his tenure as governor. He proudly noted sponsoring 5,800 Muslims to the Holy Land and over 10,000 Christians to Rome and Jerusalem. He underscored his deep and long-standing relationships with Muslim members of his staff, including his ADC of 19 years, whom he regards as a brother rather than solely by his religious affiliation. With more than 65 percent of his staff being Muslims, Akpabio affirmed that he has no reason to speak disparagingly of Islam, stating, "There's no way I will talk down on the Muslim religion." He concluded by urging Nigerians to prioritize the substance of public debates and avoid misrepresenting lawmakers' positions or attempting to damage their reputations. The plenary session thus served as a platform for both a strong endorsement of Akpabio's potential return to the Senate presidency and a significant appeal for responsible public discourse regarding legislative proceedings.