Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that nobody can penetrate or infiltrate the National Assembly to destabilise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while assuring the president of lawmakers’ support ahead of the 2027 general election.
Akpabio made the statement on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, where he publicly expressed support for Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
Akpabio Assures Tinubu of National Assembly Support
Addressing President Tinubu at the event, Akpabio said lawmakers remained firmly behind the administration and would not allow attempts to undermine the president through the legislature.
He said Nigerians were beginning to recognise the reforms implemented by the administration and argued that Tinubu deserved another term in office.
“Nobody can break through the National Assembly to destabilise you. We are solidly behind you,” Akpabio said.
The Senate president also told Tinubu that several lawmakers had expressed interest in participating in the activities of the presidential campaign council.
He specifically said he would seek permission to bring additional lawmakers, including members of opposition parties, to future campaign engagements.
Akpabio Mentions Minority Leader Abba Moro
Akpabio said some senators had questioned why they were not accompanying him to the campaign council's inauguration.
He told Tinubu that he wanted permission to return with members of the minority parties in the National Assembly.
Among those he specifically mentioned was Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro.
“Your Excellency, I want your permission to come next time with the minority leader and those in the minorities in the National Assembly,” Akpabio said.
The remarks came as the APC campaign council brought together political figures from different parties in support of Tinubu's 2027 presidential campaign.
Akpabio Calls Campaign Council 'Historic'
The Senate president described the composition of the campaign council as unusual in Nigeria's democratic history since 1999.
According to Akpabio, the participation of political figures associated with different parties demonstrated the possibility of cooperation across party lines.
He cited Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party; Chukwuma Soludo, Anambra State governor and member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance; and Ademola Adeleke, Osun State governor, among political figures he acknowledged for their participation.
Akpabio said the involvement of politicians from different political backgrounds could contribute to what he described as a unity government if Tinubu wins a second term.
Senate President Praises Tinubu's Reforms
Akpabio also used the occasion to praise Tinubu's administration, saying the president's reforms were increasingly being recognised by Nigerians.
He told Tinubu that his support for a second term was based on what he described as the president's performance in office.
“Mr President, it’s because of your personae, because you’ve done well and you deserve a second term in office,” Akpabio said.
The comments were made at a political campaign event and therefore reflected Akpabio's stated support for Tinubu's re-election bid.
Akpabio Urges Governors to Focus on Their Duties
Akpabio also directed a message toward serving state governors, urging them not to abandon their responsibilities while pursuing other political ambitions.
Drawing from his own experience as a former governor, he said elected officials should concentrate on delivering on their constitutional mandates.
“I did eight years as a governor. And the Constitution says you should do eight years. There’s no need for you to start eyeing another position that is not available,” he said.
He particularly urged governors to remain focused on the welfare and development of their respective states.
Soludo's 'Untorn Clothes' Analogy
Akpabio also referred to an analogy attributed to Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo during the event.
According to Akpabio, Soludo had compared political change to attempting to repair clothing that was not torn.
“If the clothes is not torn, why try to mend it?” Akpabio recalled Soludo as saying. “If you try to mend it, you are going to tear it.”
Akpabio used the analogy while encouraging support for Tinubu's second-term bid.
2027 Election Campaign Takes Shape
Akpabio's comments come as political activity around Nigeria's 2027 presidential election increases.
The inauguration of Tinubu's campaign council formally brought a number of political figures into the president's re-election campaign structure.
While Akpabio portrayed the participation of politicians from different parties as evidence of broad political cooperation, the development is taking place within an active electoral contest in which parties and politicians are positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 polls.
His statement that the National Assembly is “solidly behind” Tinubu specifically describes his position and the support he says exists among lawmakers; it should not be interpreted as evidence that every individual legislator has publicly endorsed the president.
For now, Akpabio has made clear that he intends to use his position as Senate president to support Tinubu's second-term campaign and to encourage wider participation from lawmakers, including members of opposition parties.
