The declaration came during Thursday’s plenary session, where Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno expressed confidence that most serving senators would return after the 2027 elections. He argued that the current leadership should remain in place, extending his position to Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and other principal officers.
Senator Cyril Fasuyi also backed the proposal, insisting that Akpabio should retain the Senate presidency in the next Assembly. The show of support was followed by a voice vote, with senators present responding in favour and no audible opposition recorded.
However, the political declaration does not automatically settle the leadership of the 11th Senate. The next Assembly will emerge from the 2027 elections, and its members will determine their leadership through the applicable parliamentary process.
The development comes amid growing political calculations over the next Senate leadership, with reports suggesting that other politicians may be interested in the position. Akpabio has also appealed for President Bola Tinubu’s support for his ambition to return as Senate president.
For now, the message from his supporters is loud and clear: they want continuity at the top of the Senate. Whether that confidence translates into another term will depend on the outcome of the elections and the decisions of the lawmakers who make up the next Assembly.
As the 2027 political season gathers momentum, the “no vacancy” declaration is likely to fuel further debate about political ambition, succession and the balance of power within the National Assembly.
