The contest for the presidency of the 11th Senate is intensifying within the All Progressives Congress, according to Punch. Senate President Godswill Akpabio is actively seeking a second term, while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma is positioning himself for a return to the National Assembly as a senator in the 2027 general elections. This emerging rivalry has drawn in Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, who has vowed to oppose Uzodimma’s reported ambition to lead the upper chamber.
During a plenary session on Thursday, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno and Senator Cyril Fasuyi publicly declared that the Senate presidency was not open for contest. Monguno, representing Borno North, extended this declaration to the offices of the Deputy Senate President and other principal officers. Fasuyi, representing Ekiti North, stated that the seat was already occupied by Akpabio. Akpabio’s supporters have also begun making public declarations in his favour, as noted in the report. Akpabio then queried the chamber on whether the statement represented the collective view, and an audible response of support was recorded without significant opposition, according to Punch.
At the APC Presidential Campaign Council launch in Abuja, Akpabio appealed to President Bola Tinubu to back his return, urging the President to encourage lawmakers to seek re-election. In an apparent reference to Uzodimma, Akpabio cautioned the Imo governor to focus on his current duties. Uzodimma, however, confirmed at that gathering that he would run for a Senate seat in 2027, stating his intent to appear on the APC ballot and calling on party members to resolve internal disagreements.
The rivalry follows an earlier dispute over 2026 Senate Standing Orders amendments. On May 5, the upper chamber tried to alter its rules to limit eligibility for top leadership posts to lawmakers with at least two terms of experience. These proposed revisions drew criticism from figures like Senator Adams Oshiomhole and were seen as a way to block aspirants lacking the required tenure. The issue was notable because Akpabio did not meet these strict criteria when he first became Senate President. Two days after the initial attempt, the Senate withdrew the changes after worries emerged that certain clauses might clash with the 1999 Constitution.