A political tension may be brewing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) following remarks by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who appealed to President Bola Tinubu to support his bid to retain the Senate presidency after the 2027 general election.
Akpabio made the appeal on Wednesday during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the State House in Abuja, where top party leaders and political figures gathered ahead of the elections.
Addressing Tinubu, Akpabio urged the President to encourage members of the National Assembly to return for another term, arguing that the legislature had remained firmly behind his administration.
The Senate President also appeared to send a pointed message to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, warning governors against abandoning their constituents to pursue other political offices.
“ 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,” Akpabio said.
He went on to declare: “I have been in this business for over 25 years, and I always win.”
Although Akpabio did not mention Uzodimma by name, the remarks were widely interpreted as being directed at the Imo governor, who has declared his intention to contest for the Senate in 2027.
Uzodimma, who currently chairs the Progressive Governors Forum and serves as secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, told the gathering that he would be on the ballot as a senatorial candidate.
“Mr President, you will be on the ballot on 16 January 2027. But if we are honest with ourselves, so will we,” the governor said.
He also called on APC members to put aside their differences, reconcile and work together to secure victory for the party’s candidates.
The exchange has drawn attention to a potential contest for the leadership of the 11th Senate, with Akpabio seeking another term while Uzodimma prepares to contest for a Senate seat.
However, the Senate presidency will ultimately be determined by the senators elected into the next National Assembly, although political backing from influential party leaders, including the President, can play a significant role.
For now, the remarks have fuelled speculation about the political calculations unfolding within the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
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