Senate President Akpabio comes under attack over motion declaring “no vacancy” for 11th National Assembly leadership

A Political commentator, Jake Epelle, has criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio over a motion declaring that there is “no vacancy” in the leadership of the 11th National Assembly.

Epelle, who is the founder of TAF Africa described the move as an affront to democratic principles, arguing that the position of Senate President is neither a hereditary throne nor a monarchical office.

The criticism followed a motion moved by some senators on October 15, 2026, declaring that there would be no vacancy in the Senate leadership for the next National Assembly, a move interpreted by critics as an attempt to secure Akpabio’s return to the position.

Epelle argued that seeking to pre-empt the leadership choices of a future legislature before the next general election undermines the Constitution and disrespects the electorate.

He maintained that the leadership of the 11th Senate should be determined by senators elected into the next National Assembly, rather than through a resolution of the current assembly.

The motion has also triggered debate over legislative independence, democratic accountability and the constitutional rights of voters to freely choose their representatives.

Under Nigeria’s legislative system, the Senate President is elected by senators from among themselves at the commencement of a new Senate. The process follows the inauguration of the new assembly and the emergence of its elected members.

Critics of the motion argue that the current Senate cannot dictate the leadership structure of an incoming National Assembly whose membership and political alignments will depend on the outcome of the 2027 general elections.

The controversy comes amid growing political manoeuvring ahead of the next general election, with the debate raising questions about the limits of the current legislature’s influence over the leadership decisions of its successor.