DAILY TRUST
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that his second term is secure, despite opposition efforts to unseat him in the 2027 election.
Akpabio made the statement late Wednesday during a special Iftar dinner organised by the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) in Abuja. The event was aimed at fostering unity among governors, National Assembly members, ministers, top government officials, and the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Top leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday night turned their Iftar at Fraser Suites in Abuja into a platform for political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Iftar is the meal that Muslims eat to break their fast at sunset during Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
During Wednesday’s plenary session at the National Assembly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that governors had invited the leadership of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to the event. However, he did not specify whether it was organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) or the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), which comprises solely APC governors.
Akpabio also revealed that 20 senators were selected to accompany the Senate leadership. He later listed their names, which included both APC lawmakers and opposition members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP).
Among those listed were Senators Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West), Amos Yohanna (PDP, Adamawa North), Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central), Kelvin Chukwu (LP, Enugu East), Akpan Ekong Sampson (PDP, Akwa Ibom South), Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South), Diket Plang (APC, Plateau Central), Titus Zam (APC, Benue North West), Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South), and Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South).
Others were Austine Akobundu (APC, Abia Central), Anthony Ani (APC, Ebonyi South), Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni (APC, Lagos Central), Joel-Onowakpo Thomas (APC, Delta South), Ede Dafinone (APC, Delta Central), Ahmad Abdulhamid Malam Madori (APC, Jigawa North East), and Neda Nwoko (APC, Delta North), who was also sighted at the event.
‘We’ll come back in 2027’
Speaking at the Iftar gathering, Akpabio confidently asserted that APC would retain power in 2027 and expand its control across more states.
“We will come back in 2027, in Jesus’ name, Amen,” he declared.
“We will offer prayers for our party, that yes, indeed, victory shall be ours in 2027. Can we say a loud amen! And we will also pray for Mr. President that his second term is assured. Can we shout a loud amen!,” he said
He then called for a vote, saying, “Those in support of the motion that the APC should come back in 2027, say ‘aye,’ those against, say ‘nay’.” When the audience responded with a loud “aye,” Akpabio concluded, “The ayes have it.”
He also encouraged senators interested in running for governorship positions in 2027 to pursue their ambitions, citing Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, as an example of a senator who successfully transitioned to governorship.