Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to support his bid to retain the Senate presidency in 2027, while warning state governors against pursuing political positions outside their current mandates.
Akpabio made the appeal on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council at the State House in Abuja, amid emerging political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Although he did not mention Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma by name, his remarks were widely understood as a warning to the governor, who is seeking election to the Senate in 2027 and is reportedly being considered in discussions surrounding the leadership of the next National Assembly.
Addressing Tinubu at the event, Akpabio argued that maintaining the existing political arrangement would be preferable to attempting changes that could create unnecessary divisions.
“Mr President, you already know that we (the National Assembly) are with you. Please, take the advice of Governor Soludo seriously. He (Soludo) said if the cloth is not torn, why try to amend it? If you try to amend it, you are going to tear the cloth,” Akpabio said.
He subsequently urged the president to encourage lawmakers to return to the National Assembly and support his second-term agenda.
“If the National Assembly is so much with you, why not encourage them to come back and support you in your second term?” the Senate president asked.
His comments appeared to be a direct appeal for political backing as he positions himself for another term as Senate president following the 2027 elections.
Akpabio Warns Governors Against Seeking Other Political Offices
Akpabio also used the occasion to caution governors against abandoning their responsibilities to pursue other political ambitions before completing their mandates.
“And for my brothers who are governors, I want you to know: you must not abandon your people. I did eight years as a governor. The constitution says you should do eight years. There is no need for you to start eyeing another position that is not available,” he said.
The former Akwa Ibom State governor, who has spent more than two decades in politics, expressed confidence in his ability to navigate political contests.
“I have been in this business for over 25 years, and I always win,” he added.
While Akpabio did not expressly identify Uzodimma as the target of his remarks, the timing of his comments has drawn attention to the Imo governor’s senatorial ambition and the political manoeuvring surrounding the next Senate leadership.
Uzodimma is the APC senatorial candidate for Imo West District in the 2027 elections. According to PREMIUM TIMES, the governor has reportedly perfected plans to resign before the end of his tenure and move to the Senate if elected.
His second term as governor is scheduled to end in January 2028, while the 11th Senate is expected to be inaugurated in June 2027.
The timing raises the prospect of a transition from the Imo State Government House to the National Assembly before the formal expiration of his governorship, should he choose to pursue that route and secure election.
Uzodimma Says He Will Be on the Ballot in 2027
Speaking at the inauguration, Uzodimma, who serves as secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, emphasised that Tinubu’s re-election bid was closely connected to the electoral success of other APC candidates.
He noted that the president and party members seeking other offices would all face voters in the forthcoming elections.
“Mr President, you will be on the ballot on 16 January 2027. But if we are honest with ourselves, so will we,” Uzodimma said.
“I will be on the ballot as a senatorial candidate. So, all of us. The challenge of re-electing Mr President is the challenge of re-electing every member of APC.”
The Imo governor called on party leaders and members to put aside personal disagreements and work collectively towards victory at the polls.
“We must jettison every misgiving we have against each other. We must reconcile our differences. We must rally as one family behind the party and all the candidates,” he said.
Uzodimma also expressed confidence in the APC’s electoral prospects, arguing that the party had an advantage because of what he described as its acceptance among Nigerians and Tinubu’s record in office.
“Mr President has made our task easier by giving us a record we can defend with pride,” he added.
His remarks underscored the importance of party unity as APC leaders begin preparations for the presidential and legislative contests in 2027.
How the 2027 Senate Presidency Race Could Unfold
The contest for the Senate presidency is expected to become a major political issue as parties prepare for the next general elections.
Unlike the presidential election, the Senate president is elected by senators from among themselves at the inauguration of a new Senate. The outcome depends on the composition of the chamber, the candidates’ ability to secure support from fellow senators and negotiations among political stakeholders.
Although the president does not directly appoint the Senate president, presidential backing can significantly influence the contest, particularly when the ruling party has a strong presence in the chamber.
Akpabio’s appeal to Tinubu therefore signals his interest in retaining the current leadership arrangement and securing the political support needed to return to the position after the 2027 elections.
Uzodimma’s senatorial ambition introduces another prominent APC figure into the calculations surrounding the next Senate. However, his candidacy for Imo West does not automatically translate into a bid for the Senate presidency, and the final outcome will depend on the decisions and support of elected senators.
The emerging political dynamics could test the relationship between influential APC figures as they balance individual ambitions with the party’s broader electoral strategy.
Tinubu Says He Will Focus on Governance During Campaign
At the inauguration, Tinubu said the APC Presidential Campaign Council would coordinate campaign activities across states and local government areas, allowing him to concentrate on the responsibilities of governing the country.
The president said his official duties would continue even as the ruling party intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections.
“The responsibility of this office does not pause,” Tinubu declared.
“I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians, even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas.”
He added: “So you will excuse me from going everywhere with you. We have bills to pay.”
The council, led by Director-General Abdulaziz Yari, is scheduled to begin its presidential campaign in Kaduna on 24 October, according to the information provided.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, state governors, senior APC politicians, and representatives of the party’s youth and women groups attended the inauguration.
Political Stakes Ahead of the 2027 Elections
The exchange between Akpabio and the APC leadership highlights the growing importance of negotiations over political offices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While Akpabio is seeking continuity in the Senate leadership, Uzodimma is positioning himself for a senatorial contest in Imo State. Both political developments are unfolding alongside Tinubu’s efforts to secure re-election and maintain cohesion within the ruling party.
Whether Akpabio secures the president’s backing for another term as Senate president remains to be seen. Ultimately, the next Senate will determine its leadership, making the outcome dependent on the results of the legislative elections and the balance of support among elected lawmakers.
For now, Akpabio’s public appeal and warning to governors have brought the battle for influence within the APC into sharper focus, even before the 2027 general elections begin.