2027: Senators will decide Akpabio’s fate – APC Chair

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has said the Senate will decide whether incumbent Senate President Godswill Akpabio will continue as head of the 11th National Assembly.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Yilwatda said the decision would ultimately be made by senators elected into the next assembly.

He said the party leadership would not impose a candidate for the position, but clarified that the APC leadership would determine who emerges as the Senate Majority Leader.

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“The Senate actually determines it (Senate President). Let’s wait for the election first. Do you know what? I don’t have anybody in mind. The Senate will determine whoever they want to make as Senate President. Well, the party will only just bring the majority leader,” he said.

With about eight month to the inauguration of the 11th Senate, the stakes for the Senate Presidency has been high.

Earlier in the year, the senate amended its standing rules, restricting eligibility for presiding and principal offices to senators who have served at least two consecutive terms.

The decision came amid speculation that former senators Hope Uzodimma, Ifeanyi Okowa and Ovie Omo-Agege are considering a return to the red chamber and a possible bid for the senate presidency in 2027.

The revised rules stipulate that only senators in the current 10th senate who secure re-election into the 11th senate in 2027 will be eligible to contest for the positions of senate president and deputy senate president.

While not much was heard about the Senate Presidency bid of Okowa and Omo-Agege, that of Uzodimma has been gaining ground.

During the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja last month, Akpabio hit Uzodimma indirectly.

The Senate President cautioned governors against abandoning their constituents in pursuit of political offices that might not be available to them, drawing on his experience as a former governor of Akwa Ibom State.

“For my brothers who are governors, I want you to know that you must not abandon your people. I did eight years as a governor. And the constitution says you should do eight years. There’s no need for you to start eyeing another position that is not available”, he had said.

Akpabio spoke days after some senators passed a vote of confidence in him and endorsed him as President of the 11th Senate.

Senator Tahir Monguno had moved the motion endorsing Akpabio for the top job, while Senator Cyril Fasuyi (Ekiti North), endorsed the motion.

“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.

Acknowledging the intense interest usually surrounding leadership seats, Akpabio noted that with executive contests concluded, attention naturally shifts to the legislature.

“I know the position of president is gone, the position of vice president is gone, the only one that is left now is the position of Senate President. So, everybody will want to contest that,” Akpabio remarked, expressing optimism that many current members would return in the 11th Assembly.

Akpabio subsequently asked lawmakers whether the position on his endorsement reflected the general view of the senate.

“Those in support say aye,” he said, drawing a resounding response from senators.

He then asked those opposed to the position to respond, but the chamber remained silent.

“They are not here. I think that settles it,” Akpabio said.