Some senators have endorsed Senate President Godswill Akpabio for the Senate presidency in the 11th National Assembly, declaring that the position is not open to contest and that the current leadership should return.

The lawmakers made their positions known during plenary on Thursday, October 15, 2026, where expressions of support for Akpabio return as presiding officer dominated deliberations.

Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, and Senator Cyril Fasuyi, representing Ekiti North, were among those who openly declared that there is no vacancy in the Senate presidency.

Monguno expressed confidence that majority of serving lawmakers would return to the Senate after the 2027 general election and declared that the seat of the Senate President was not vacant.

The declaration was extended to cover the office of the Deputy Senate President, currently held by Jibrin Barau, and other principal officers, including Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and the Chief Whip.

Monguno stated that by the grace of God, majority of members would make it back to the Senate and that the leadership seats should remain occupied by the current holders.

Fasuyi also aligned with the position, describing himself as a serving senator and an incoming senator in the 11th Assembly and backing the motion moved by Monguno.

Fasuyi insisted that the seat of the Senate President in the 11th Assembly was already occupied by Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio and was not open to any contest.

Another lawmaker, Senator Babangida Hussaini, reaffirmed Akpabio contributions to his state and endorsed his return, while also raising concerns over hard drugs and substance abuse, which was described as a driver of criminality and insecurity.

Following the declarations, Akpabio put the matter to a voice vote by asking senators whether the position reflected the general view of the chamber.

When those in support were called to say aye, a resounding and audible response echoed across the chamber. When the call was made for opposing voices, the chamber remained silent with no audible nay recorded.

The Senate President thereafter declared that the position had been settled by the chamber.

The exchange signaled a preference for continuity in the leadership of the Senate ahead of the inauguration of the 11th National Assembly in 2027, although the leadership will still be determined through the formal election process as provided by legislative procedures.

The move was seen as a preemptive effort to discourage potential challengers from contesting the leadership positions, with names such as Senators Abdulaziz Yari and Adams Oshiomhole previously mentioned among possible contenders for principal offices.

The declaration means that lawmakers eyeing the offices of Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Leader and other leadership positions may have to reconsider their ambitions, as the chamber has indicated that the current occupants should return unopposed.

Observers noted that the endorsement followed Akpabio remarks during Tuesday plenary on a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide and establish a framework for suicide prevention.

The bill, sponsored to replace criminal punishment for attempted suicide with medical assessment, treatment, referral and continued support, passed second reading and generated debate on the floor.

Presenting the bill, the sponsor explained that the legislation seeks to establish a coherent legal and institutional framework through which government agencies, health facilities, first responders and communities can prevent suicide and respond effectively when a person is at risk.

Under the proposed framework, people who survive suicide attempts would receive appropriate clinical care rather than face prosecution and imprisonment, with emphasis on crisis helplines, referral pathways and follow up support for survivors.

The Senate President was quoted during the debate as stressing that a police station or correctional facility should not be the default destination for a person who requires urgent clinical care.