Nigeria: 11th Senate Race - Akpabio Courts Tinubu, Warns Uzodimma Over Ambition

What the report says

Senate President Godswill Akpabio used the launch of the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council in Abuja to seek President Bola Tinubu’s backing for his own bid to remain Senate president after the 2027 elections. In remarks directed at Tinubu, Akpabio also urged the president to discourage politicians who may be positioning themselves for the same office.

His comments appeared aimed at Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, whom the article describes as the APC senatorial candidate for Imo West and someone reportedly interested in the Senate presidency. Akpabio told governors not to abandon their current duties for other ambitions, stressing that officeholders should focus on the responsibilities they already have. The report says he did not name Uzodimma directly, but the warning was widely understood as a response to the governor’s reported plans.

Uzodimma, who is also the APC presidential campaign council secretary, told the same event that Tinubu’s re-election prospects were tied to those of other APC candidates, including himself. He said party members should resolve disagreements and campaign as one team.

The article also notes that the Senate presidency is ultimately decided by senators after the election, although presidential influence often matters. Tinubu, for his part, said the campaign council would handle election work in the states while he continued governing, and he declined to accompany it everywhere.