The Convener of Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, has commended Senators backing Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio’s re-election, describing their support as a vote of confidence in his leadership and a boost for legislative stability.

The commendation came as the group also urged members of the House of Representatives to copy their Senate counterpart in retaining current leadership during the 11th National Assembly composition in 2027.

Yakubu praised the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, and other lawmakers who have expressed support for Akpabio’s return as President of the Senate in the 11th National Assembly.

The senators had declared their support for Akpabio during plenary, insisting that there was “no vacancy” in the office of the Senate President ahead of the inauguration of the next National Assembly in 2027.

Besides, reacting to the development, Yakubu said the lawmakers’ position demonstrated confidence in Akpabio’s leadership, legislative experience, and capacity to sustain stability and effective administration in the Senate.

He said continuity in legislative leadership could contribute to stronger democratic institutions and improved cooperation among the different arms of government.

“Senator Godswill Akpabio has continued to occupy a strategic position in Nigeria’s legislative leadership. The support being expressed by his colleagues is a strong indication that many senators appreciate the value of experience, continuity, and a stable legislative institution,” Yakubu added.

He specifically commended Monguno and Fasuyi for publicly expressing their confidence in the Senate President, describing their position as a reflection of the importance of unity and collective responsibility in legislative governance.

“We commend Senator Tahir Monguno, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, and every other senator who has openly expressed confidence in the Senate President.
Their position underscores the importance of unity, mutual trust, and collective responsibility in building a Senate that responds effectively to the aspirations of Nigerians,” he further stressed.

Yakubu maintained that leadership of the Senate should be assessed not merely through political calculations but also through legislative performance, the quality of lawmaking, effective oversight, and the ability to work with other arms of government to address the country’s challenges.

“We also want to call on members of the House of Representatives to emulate the Senators by backing the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas for his second term bid because as long as we are concerned, there is no vacancy for the respective top positions at the National Assembly”. Yakubu said.

According to him, Nigeria needs a National Assembly that places national interest above personal ambition and prioritises policies capable of improving the living conditions of citizens.

He identified security, economic growth, employment generation, and infrastructural development across the country’s six geopolitical zones as critical areas requiring sustained legislative attention.

The Arewa Think Tank Convener also stressed that a stable and productive Senate was essential to advancing the country’s development objectives, adding that constructive engagement between the executive and legislative arms of government remained crucial to achieving meaningful progress.

“Nigeria needs a legislature that understands the weight of its responsibility to the people. Our lawmakers must remain focused on policies that promote peace, strengthen security, create jobs, stimulate economic activities, and improve the welfare of citizens,” he said.

He urged senators and other political stakeholders to sustain consultations and promote unity while respecting the constitutional and parliamentary procedures for electing the leadership of the next Senate.

Yakubu acknowledged that the final decision on who would preside over the Senate in the 11th National Assembly would be made after the 2027 general elections, when the new lawmakers assemble to elect their principal officers.

However, he said the public endorsements of Akpabio highlighted the importance of consensus-building and confidence among lawmakers in shaping legislative leadership.

He expressed optimism that continued cooperation among senators would strengthen democratic institutions, improve legislative productivity, and create an enabling environment for policies aimed at advancing Nigeria’s development.

Yakubu reaffirmed Arewa Think Tank’s commitment to promoting national unity, responsible leadership, democratic stability, and policies that place the interests of Nigerians above partisan considerations.

He maintained that political leaders must remain guided by the national interest and work collectively towards building a more peaceful, prosperous, and united Nigeria.