Political analyst Jake Epelle has taken aim at Senate President Godswill Akpabio following a declaration by lawmakers indicating that the position would remain occupied in the 11th National Assembly.
Epelle accused Akpabio and the senators backing the resolution of disregarding democratic conventions, insisting that the leadership seat must be decided through a fresh electoral process.
During an interview on Arise News, Epelle maintained that the Senate should not function like a royal establishment where political offices are secured for particular individuals before elections take place.
He questioned Akpabio’s decision to allow the proposal to be introduced and adopted, arguing that the next Senate must independently determine its leadership in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Politics Nigeria reports that the development followed a resolution passed on October 15, 2026, when senators announced that there was “no vacancy” in the Senate presidency, indicating their preference for Akpabio to continue in office after the 2027 elections.
The motion was presented by Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, and seconded by Senator Cyril Fasuyi of Ekiti North.
Monguno expressed the expectation that a significant number of incumbent senators would return after the forthcoming elections before declaring the Senate President’s position, the deputy’s office and other principal leadership seats unavailable for competition.
He said, “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.”
Fasuyi equally backed the proposal, introducing himself as a serving lawmaker who expected to return to the Senate in the next legislative session. He subsequently affirmed his support for Akpabio’s continued leadership.
He stated that the Senate presidency in the 11th Assembly should not be open to competition, describing Akpabio as the person already occupying the position.
After the submissions, Akpabio invited lawmakers to express their positions on the motion. Senators who supported it responded, while no member openly objected when he requested opposing voices.
The Senate President then indicated that the matter had been resolved after nobody spoke against the proposal.
Reacting to the proceedings, Epelle argued that a decision reached by the current lawmakers could not supersede the constitutional requirements for selecting the next Senate President.
He stressed that the position was neither a family inheritance nor an office that could be reserved for an individual through a legislative declaration.
According to him, senators elected into the incoming assembly must determine who leads the chamber through the appropriate voting process.
Epelle also cited Sections 50 to 60 of the Nigerian Constitution, maintaining that the relevant constitutional provisions should guide legislative activities and leadership selection.
He further challenged the certainty expressed by the lawmakers about returning to office after the 2027 elections, questioning whether their statements suggested that the outcome had already been decided.
The commentator additionally alleged that Akpabio had earlier visited the Presidential Villa to seek President Bola Tinubu’s backing for another term as Senate President.
He argued that Akpabio’s legal training and position as the chamber’s presiding officer should make him aware of the constitutional issues surrounding the declaration.
Epelle described the resolution as an affront to democratic practice, insisting that the next Senate’s leadership should be determined by elected lawmakers rather than predetermined arrangements made before the general election.
