2027: APC chairman rules out party imposition on Senate presidency

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has said the party will not impose Godswill Akpabio or any other candidate as Senate President of the 11th National Assembly, leaving the decision to elected senators.

Yilwatda said the choice of the next Senate President would be determined by lawmakers elected into the chamber in the 2027 general elections, while the party would only decide who becomes Senate Majority Leader.

The APC chairman stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, amid growing political manoeuvring over the leadership of the next Senate.

“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.

The contest for the Senate presidency has intensified ahead of the inauguration of the 11th National Assembly, with Akpabio facing possible challengers amid speculation over the political ambitions of some former senators and governors.

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

Under the revised rules, only members of the current 10th Senate who secure re-election in 2027 would be eligible to contest for Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

The amendment followed speculation that former governors Hope Uzodimma and Ifeanyi Okowa, as well as former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, were considering a return to the red chamber and possible bids for the Senate presidency.

While the ambitions of Okowa and Omo-Agege have attracted less attention recently, Uzodimma’s alleged interest has continued to generate political discussions.

At the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja last month, Akpabio appeared to caution governors against abandoning their constituents in pursuit of political offices that might not be available.

Drawing from his experience as former governor of Akwa Ibom State, he said, “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.”

Akpabio’s comments came days after senators in the 10th Senate passed a vote of confidence in him and endorsed his return as Senate President in the next assembly.

Senator Tahir Monguno moved the motion, while Senator Cyril Fasuyi of Ekiti North seconded it, declaring that the position was already occupied by Akpabio.

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“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.

Responding to the growing interest in the position, Akpabio acknowledged that the Senate presidency had become the next major political contest following the conclusion of executive elections.

“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,” he said.

Akpabio subsequently sought the chamber’s support for his endorsement, asking senators to indicate whether they agreed with the motion.

The lawmakers overwhelmingly responded in support, while no senator openly opposed it.

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