This is certainly a good news for the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, as he was on Thursday, 15 October, 2026 received expressions of support for his re-election as presiding officer of the 11th National Assembly, with Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno and Senator Cyril Fasuyi declaring that there is “no vacancy” in the office.
The lawmakers made their positions known during Thursday’s plenary, expressing confidence that Akpabio would retain his seat when the next National Assembly is inaugurated in 2027.
Monguno, who represents Borno North Senatorial District, said he was optimistic that most of the incumbent senators would return to the chamber and that Akpabio would continue as Senate President.
“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,” Monguno said, just as he also extended the declaration to the office of the Deputy Senate President and other principal officers of the Senate.
Similarly, Fasuyi, who represents Ekiti North Senatorial District, threw his weight behind Akpabio’s second-term ambition, declaring that the Senate presidency in the next Assembly was already occupied.
“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.
After the declarations, Akpabio asked senators whether the position reflected the chamber’s general view.
When he called on those in support to say “aye,” the response was audible across the Chamber.
However, no audible response was recorded when he asked for opposing voices.
“I think that settles it,” Akpabio said.
