Some senators have endorsed Senate President Godswill Akpabio for another term in the 11th National Assembly, declaring that the position is not open for contest.
The endorsement came during Thursday’s plenary session following controversy over Akpabio’s remarks during debate on the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, was debated on Tuesday when Akpabio made comments about young people contemplating suicide because of beliefs about rewards in the afterlife.
His remarks triggered criticism, with some commentators accusing him of making disparaging comments about Muslims.
Responding to the backlash on Thursday, Akpabio said discussions in the Senate should not be interpreted as attacks on religious groups.
He expressed concern that comments made during legislative debates were sometimes 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.
He explained that lawmakers were expected to disagree on some issues and support one another on others in their efforts to make laws.
Akpabio also rejected suggestions that he would denigrate Islam, citing his relationships with Muslims and his record of supporting religious pilgrimages while serving as governor.
According to him, he sponsored 5,800 Muslims to the holy land and more than 10,000 Christians to Rome and Jerusalem.
He urged public commentators to focus on substantive issues rather than attempts to damage people’s reputations.
Following his remarks, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, who represents Borno North, expressed confidence that most serving senators would return to the chamber 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,” Monguno said.
He extended the declaration to the office of the Deputy Senate President and other principal officers of the chamber.
Senator Cyril Fasuyi, representing Ekiti North, also backed the position, describing Akpabio as the prospective Senate President of the 11th Assembly.
“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,” Fasuyi said.
He added that the position was already occupied by Akpabio, signalling his support for the Senate President’s return.
Akpabio subsequently asked senators whether they supported the declaration.
“Those in support say aye,” he said, prompting a resounding response from lawmakers present in the chamber.
