Some senators have endorsed Senate President Godswill Akpabio for the presidency of the 11th National Assembly, declaring that the position should remain his after the 2027 general election.
Gatekeepers News reports that the endorsement was announced during plenary on Thursday, following discussions surrounding Akpabio’s comments on a proposed suicide prevention bill, which had attracted criticism from some Nigerians.
Tahir Monguno, Senate Chief Whip and senator representing Borno North, expressed confidence that most serving lawmakers would return to the Senate after the 2027 elections.
“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.
Cyril Fasuyi, senator representing Ekiti North, also supported the position, declaring that Akpabio had already secured the backing of the lawmakers for another term.
“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 said.
Akpabio subsequently asked senators to indicate their support for the proposal, drawing a loud response from members of the chamber. When he asked those opposed to the motion to respond, no senator spoke against it.
“They are not here. I think that settles it,” Akpabio said.
The endorsement comes amid growing political manoeuvring over the leadership of the next National Assembly, which is expected to emerge after the 2027 general election. Akpabio is seeking to retain his position, although the outcome will depend on the composition of the next Senate and the selection of its leadership.
The contest for the Senate presidency has also attracted attention following the Senate’s amendment of its standing rules in May 2026. The revised provisions require candidates for presiding offices to meet specified ranking and length-of-service conditions, narrowing the pool of eligible contenders.
The changes have drawn attention to possible succession ambitions among prominent politicians, including Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo North, and Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo State, who has been associated with plans to return to the Senate.
Akpabio’s endorsement by serving senators, however, does not automatically guarantee his re-election as Senate President. The leadership of the 11th National Assembly will be determined after the 2027 elections, when newly elected senators convene to choose their presiding officers.
