By George Ozalla
Some senators have endorsed Senate President Godswill Akpabio for the presidency of the 11th National Assembly, declaring that the position is not open for contest ahead of the 2027 general election.
The declaration was made during plenary on Thursday after Akpabio responded to criticism of his comments during debate on the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026, which had generated reactions from members of the public.
The controversy followed remarks Akpabio made on Tuesday while the Senate considered the bill sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South. Akpabio had suggested that some young people contemplate suicide because they believe seven virgins await them in the afterlife.
His remarks attracted criticism from some commentators, who accused him of denigrating Muslims.
Addressing the controversy on Thursday, Akpabio cautioned against taking discussions in the Senate out of context or interpreting disagreements during legislative debates as attacks on particular religious groups.
“I don’t like the idea of people sitting down on television and trying to misinterpret what we discuss here in the Senate,” he 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.”
The Senate President also rejected suggestions that he would disparage Islam, citing his relationships with Muslims and his record of supporting religious pilgrimages during his tenure as governor.
According to him, he sponsored 5,800 Muslims to the holy land and more than 10,000 Christians to Rome and Jerusalem.
Akpabio urged commentators to pay attention to the substance of legislative debates rather than use statements made in the chamber to damage the reputations of lawmakers.
Following his remarks, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, expressed confidence that most serving senators would return to the chamber after the 2027 elections.
“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.
His declaration was supported by Senator Cyril Fasuyi, representing Ekiti North, who described 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,” Fasuyi 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 sought the opinion of other lawmakers on the declaration, asking those in support to indicate their position.
“Those in support say aye,” he said, drawing a resounding response from senators in the chamber.
