‘No vacancy’ — Senators endorse Akpabio for 11th assembly Senate Presidency

Some senators have endorsed Godswill Akpabio for the Senate presidency in the 11th National Assembly, declaring that the position is not open to contest.

The endorsement followed remarks by Akpabio during plenary on Thursday, after his comments on a suicide prevention bill the previous day drew criticism.

On Tuesday, during debate on the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026, sponsored by Asuquo Ekpenyong, senator representing Cross River south, Akpabio said some young people contemplate suicide because they believe seven virgins await them in the afterlife.

His comments sparked reactions from critics who accused the senate president of denigrating Muslims.

Responding to the criticism on Thursday, Akpabio said discussions in the chamber should not be interpreted as attacks on religious groups.

The senate president said he was concerned that remarks made during debates were being taken out of context on television programmes and used 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 also rejected suggestions that he would disparage Islam, citing his personal relationships with Muslims and his record of supporting religious pilgrimages while serving as governor.

He said he had sponsored 5,800 Muslims to the holy land and more than 10,000 Christians to Rome and Jerusalem.

The senate president also urged commentators to focus on issues rather than attempts to damage people’s reputations.

SENATORS BACK AKPABIO FOR ANOTHER TERM

Following Akpabio’s remarks, Tahir Monguno, senate chief whip and senator representing Borno north, expressed confidence that most serving lawmakers would return to the senate after the 2027 general election.

“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 backed the position, describing Akpabio as the occupant of the senate presidency in the next assembly.

“My name is Senator Cyril Fasuyi from Ekiti north, a serving senator and an incoming senator in the 11th assembly,” he said.

“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.”

Akpabio subsequently asked lawmakers whether the position 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