Senate President Godswill Akpabio has warned governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against pursuing political positions that are not available to them, amid reports that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma is eyeing his seat.
The warning came hours after Uzodimma publicly declared his intention to contest for the Senate in 2027, fuelling speculation about a possible battle for the leadership of the 11th National Assembly.
The two APC leaders spoke at the inauguration of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressive Governors Forum and serves as secretary of the campaign council, had earlier hinted at his senatorial ambition while speaking in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“Mr President will be on the ballot on 16 January 2027, but if we are honest with ourselves, so will we,” he said.
The governor added that he would personally contest the election, declaring, “I will be on the ballot as a senatorial candidate.”
Uzodimma’s declaration came amid reports that he was considering a move to the Senate as part of a possible bid to succeed Akpabio as Senate President.
Akpabio, who spoke after the governor, cautioned serving governors against abandoning their constituents in pursuit of other political offices.
“For my brothers who are governors, I want you to know that you must not abandon your people,” he said.
“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.”
Although Akpabio did not mention Uzodimma by name, the timing of his remarks has drawn attention to the Imo governor’s reported ambition to take over the Senate presidency.
Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State who served from 2007 to 2015, also attributed his political success over the past 25 years to his relationship with the electorate.
“Take it from me, I have been in this business for over 25 years, and I always win. And why I always win is because I stand with people,” he said.
The reported succession battle comes against the backdrop of the Senate’s amended standing rules, which require aspirants to the offices of Senate President and Deputy Senate President to have served at least eight years in the chamber.
Uzodimma previously served in the Senate before becoming governor but has been away from the National Assembly for years, raising questions about his eligibility under the amended rules.
The 11th National Assembly is expected to be inaugurated in June 2027, while Uzodimma’s second term as Imo governor is due to end in January 2028.
Neither Akpabio nor Uzodimma explicitly identified the other in their remarks, leaving the apparent exchange open to interpretation as political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections.
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