Senators have thrown their weight behind Senate President Godswill Akpabio, declaring that his position should not be open to contest in the 11th National Assembly after the 2027 general elections.
The declaration was made on Thursday during plenary by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno, who expressed confidence that the majority of serving lawmakers would return to the upper chamber after the next general elections.
Monguno, who represents Borno North Senatorial District, said he believed Akpabio would retain his position, alongside the Deputy Senate President and other principal officers of the Senate.
“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’,” he said.
He added that the declaration also covered the office of the Deputy Senate President and other principal positions in the chamber.
His remarks received support from Senator Cyril Fasuyi, representing Ekiti North, who maintained that Akpabio had already secured the Senate presidency for the 11th Assembly.
Fasuyi said the position was already occupied by Akpabio and should not be considered open to other contenders.
Akpabio subsequently put the declaration to a voice vote, asking senators who supported the position to say “aye” and those opposed to say “nay”.
The chamber responded with loud ayes, while no audible opposition was recorded.
“I think that settles it,” Akpabio said.
The exchange occurred as senators debated issues surrounding the criminalisation or decriminalisation of attempted suicide, following the Senate’s recent consideration of a bill seeking to establish a framework for suicide prevention and support for survivors.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, had passed second reading on Tuesday.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Akpabio cautioned lawmakers against allowing legislative debates to be misrepresented outside the National Assembly, stressing that disagreements were part of the democratic process.
He urged commentators to focus on the Senate’s final decisions rather than politicising discussions in ways that could damage the reputations of lawmakers.
The Senate President also addressed the relationship between terrorism and religion, rejecting attempts to associate violent extremism exclusively with either Islam or Christianity.
According to him, terrorists should not be regarded as representatives of any religion, adding that both Islam and Christianity prohibit suicide.
Akpabio warned against the misuse of religious teachings to justify suicide bombings and other acts of violence, calling for greater understanding and religious tolerance among Nigerians.
He also highlighted his record of supporting adherents of different faiths, citing his sponsorship of thousands of Muslims and Christians on religious pilgrimages during his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Babangida Hussaini, representing Jigawa North-West, cited Surah An-Nisa, Chapter 4, Verse 29, of the Quran, which prohibits taking one’s own life or killing another person.
Hussaini also commended Akpabio for constructing a hostel for more than 300 female students at the Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, in 2010, when he served as governor.
The lawmaker further raised concerns about the influence of hard drugs and other harmful substances on young people, urging authorities to identify and block the channels through which such substances enter the country.
Although the senators expressed strong support for Akpabio’s continued leadership, the declaration comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, after which the composition and leadership of the 11th National Assembly will be determined.
