Senate President Godswill Akpabio has received public endorsements from Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno and Senator Cyril Fasuyi for a second term as presiding officer of the 11th National Assembly, following their declaration that there is “no vacancy” in the office.
The lawmakers expressed their support during Thursday’s plenary, signalling their preference for Akpabio to retain his position when the next National Assembly is inaugurated in 2027.
Monguno, who represents Borno North Senatorial District, expressed optimism that most incumbent senators would secure re-election in the 2027 general elections and return to the chamber. He said he expected Akpabio to continue as Senate President in the next Assembly.
“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,” Monguno said.
He extended the declaration to the office of the Deputy Senate President and other principal officers of the Senate, indicating his support for continuity in the chamber’s leadership.
Similarly, Fasuyi, who represents Ekiti North Senatorial District, backed Akpabio’s second-term ambition, arguing that the Senate presidency in the 11th National Assembly should remain with the incumbent.
“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.
Following the declarations, Akpabio sought to establish whether the position expressed by the two lawmakers reflected the wider sentiment of the Senate. He called on senators who supported the proposal to respond with “aye”, receiving an audible affirmative response from the chamber.
However, no audible response was recorded when he invited those opposed to express their position.
“I think that settles it,” Akpabio said after the exchange.
The development represents a public show of support for Akpabio’s potential return as Senate President, with the endorsements highlighting the preference of the two lawmakers for continuity in the Senate’s leadership.
However, the declarations do not amount to a formal election or guarantee Akpabio’s return to the position. The leadership of the 11th National Assembly will be determined through the election of presiding officers after the 2027 general elections, when the newly constituted legislature convenes.
Akpabio’s second-term prospects will therefore depend on the composition of the next Senate and the outcome of the leadership contest among senators following the elections.
