POLITICS
Presidency Not Open To Contest – Lawmakers Rally Behind Akpabio
Presidency Not Open To Contest – Lawmakers Rally Behind Akpabio
Senators launch early push for continuity in 11th National Assembly, declaring Godswill Akpabio’s Senate Presidency “not open to any contest”
Chief Whip Tahir Monguno says there is “no vacancy” for Senate President, Deputy Senate President and other principal officers
Akpabio puts declaration to voice vote, drawing overwhelming “ayes” and no audible opposition from lawmakers present
Endorsement sends strong political signal ahead of 2027 but cannot bind senators who will constitute and elect the leadership of the 11th Senate
October 15, () – The power struggle over the leadership of the 11th National Assembly has begun months before the 2027 general election, with senators rallying behind Senate President Godswill Akpabio and declaring that his position in the next Senate is “not open to any contest.”
The dramatic declaration during plenary on Thursday extended beyond Akpabio to the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and other principal officers, signalling a determined push by supporters of the current leadership to preserve the existing power structure when the 11th National Assembly is inaugurated in 2027.
Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, set the tone when he expressed confidence that most serving senators would secure re-election and return to the chamber after the general election.
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“Insha Allah, by the grace of God, majority of us are going to make it back to the Senate, and this seat is hereby declared: there is no vacancy. Including the seat of DSP, there is no vacancy — including principal officers”, Monguno said.
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Senator Cyril Fasuyi, representing Ekiti North, immediately backed the declaration and specifically pronounced Akpabio the preferred Senate President for the 11th National Assembly.
“My name is Senator Cyril Fasuyi from Ekiti North, a serving senator and an incoming senator in the 11th Assembly. 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 stated.
Akpabio subsequently put the position to senators, asking whether it reflected the general view of the chamber.
“Those in support say aye”, the Senate President said, drawing a resounding affirmative response.
He then invited those opposed to the declaration to respond, but there was no audible dissent.
“They are not here. I think that settles it”, Akpabio declared.
Endorsement Follows Religious Controversy
Senate President Godswill Akpabio
Thursday’s endorsement followed Akpabio’s response to criticism generated by remarks he made during debate on the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South.
During consideration of the bill earlier in the week, Akpabio remarked that some young people contemplate suicide because they believe seven virgins await them in the afterlife.
The comments generated criticism, with some commentators accusing the Senate President of making remarks considered offensive to Muslims.
Addressing the controversy during Thursday’s plenary, Akpabio rejected suggestions that his remarks were directed against Islam and complained that discussions in the Senate were increasingly being taken out of context and deployed for political purposes.
“I don’t like the idea of people sitting down on television and trying to misinterpret what we discuss here in the Senate”, Akpabio said.
“We want to make the best laws, so we are bound to oppose each other, and we are also bound to support each other.”
Akpabio said he could not deliberately disparage Islam, citing his relationship with Muslims and his support for religious pilgrimages while serving as Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
According to him, he sponsored about 5,800 Muslims on pilgrimage to the Holy Land and more than 10,000 Christians to Rome and Jerusalem during his tenure.
He urged commentators to concentrate on substantive issues rather than what he described as attempts to damage reputations through interpretations of comments made during legislative debates.
It was following Akpabio’s explanation that Monguno made the “no vacancy” declaration, triggering the endorsement by Fasuyi and the subsequent voice vote.
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