Some senators have endorsed Senate President Godswill Akpabio for another term in the 11th National Assembly, declaring that the position is not open to contest.
The endorsement followed Akpabioโs remarks during plenary on Thursday, as he responded to criticism over comments he made during debate on the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026.
On Tuesday, while lawmakers debated the bill sponsored by Asuquo Ekpenyong, senator representing Cross River South, Akpabio said some young people contemplate suicide because they believe seven virgins await them in the afterlife.
His comments sparked criticism, with some accusing him of denigrating 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 plenary were often taken out of context on television programmes and used for political purposes.
โI donโt like the idea of people sitting down on television and trying to misinterpret what we discuss here in the Senate,โ Akpabio said.
โWe want to make the best laws, so we are bound to oppose each other, and we are also bound to support each other.โ
The Senate president also rejected suggestions that he would disparage Islam, citing his relationships with Muslims and his record of supporting religious pilgrimages while serving as governor.
According to Akpabio, he sponsored 5,800 Muslims to the holy land and more than 10,000 Christians to Rome and Jerusalem.
He urged commentators to focus on substantive issues rather than attempts to damage people’s reputations.
Following his remarks, Tahir Monguno, Senate Chief Whip and senator representing Borno North, expressed optimism that most serving lawmakers would return to the Senate after the 2027 general election.
Monguno subsequently declared that the Senate presidency and other leadership positions would not be open to contest in the 11th National Assembly.
โInsha 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,โ he said.
Cyril Fasuyi, senator representing Ekiti North, also endorsed the position, describing Akpabio as the occupant of the Senate presidency in the next assembly.
โMy name is Senator Cyril Fasuyi from Ekiti North, a serving senator and an incoming senator in the 11th Assembly,โ he said.
โI 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.โ
Akpabio subsequently sought the views of other lawmakers on the endorsement, asking those in support to respond.
โThose in support say aye,โ he said, prompting a strong affirmative response from the senators present.
Akpabio’s endorsement comes ahead of the 2027 general election, after which the composition and leadership of the 11th National Assembly will be determined.
