SECOND TERM BID FOR SENATE PRESIDENT IN 11TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL: NIGERIANS REJECT AKPABIO, BARAU, SAY SENATE IS NOT A RETIREMENT HOME

SECOND TERM BID FOR SENATE PRESIDENT IN 11TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL: NIGERIANS REJECT AKPABIO, BARAU, SAY SENATE IS NOT A RETIREMENT HOME.



By Comrade Dr. Kenneth Oshiogwemoh,

Public Communicator & Political Affairs Analyst, Edo North Senatorial Stakeholders

16th October, 2026.

The report that some members of the 10th Senate on Thursday, October 15, 2026, staged a "No Vacancy" endorsement for Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau ahead of the 11th National Assembly in 2027 raises serious concerns about democratic process and constitutionalism.


Nigerians Are Asking: What Are the Achievements of the 10th Senate Under Akpabio?


A pertinent question being asked by Nigerians is: What are the measurable achievements of the 10th Senate under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio?


Where is the legislative impact? Where is the effect on the common man?


Under this leadership, capital budget implementation has suffered  .repeated extensions up to four times .resulting in a three-year budget rollover without full implementation. This is unprecedented. What is the justification for appropriating trillions of naira annually when Nigerians cannot see commensurate delivery of roads, hospitals and schools in Edo North and across the country?


Constitutional Perspective


This pre-emptive endorsement contradicts the spirit and letter of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended):


1. Section 50(1)(a) & (b): "There shall be a President and Deputy President of the Senate who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves." The Constitution stipulates election, not endorsement or imposition.


2. Section 50(2)(c): The President or Deputy President of the Senate shall vacate his office if he ceases to be a member of the Senate. This implies that every aspiring presiding officer must first return to his constituency, contest the 2027 election, win, and thereafter seek the mandate of fellow Senators.


3. Sections 88 and 89. Oversight Powers: Empower the National Assembly to expose corruption, inefficiency and waste in budget implementation. Under the current leadership, this power appears to have been underutilized.


4. Sections 80-81. Power of the Purse: Vest the National Assembly with authority over public funds. Effective monitoring of budget implementation remains a constitutional obligation.


Implications for Nigeria


a) Erosion of Separation of Powers: If the Senate is perceived as unable to scrutinize the Executive, the principle of checks and balances enshrined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Constitution is undermined.


b) Deepening Poverty and Underdevelopment: When budgets meant for hospitals, schools and roads are rolled over yearly without full implementation, development stagnates.


c) Senate Is Not a Retirement Home: The Senate is not a place for retirement where people can stay indefinitely. If it becomes a place of perpetual tenure, young, vibrant Nigerians with innovative ideas will be denied opportunity.


Conclusion: Nigeria Requires New Leadership in 2027


In 2027, Nigeria requires a new, independent and people-oriented Senate leadership that will uphold the Constitution, ensure diligent monitoring of budget implementation and defend the interests of the masses.


The era of pre-emptive endorsement, constitutional infraction, endless budget rollover and political perpetuity must end.


Comrade Dr. Kenneth Oshiogwemoh is a Public Communicator and Political Affairs Analyst and writes from Auchi, Edo North Senatorial District.

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