Senate President [Godswill Akpabio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godswill_Akpabio) addressed the gathering of All Progressives Congress governors on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, urging them to complete their constitutionally guaranteed eight‑year tenure and refrain from deserting their states for unavailable political posts.
He told the governors, “For my brothers who are governors, you must not abandon your people.” He added, “I served eight years as a governor, and the constitution says you should serve eight years. There is no need to start eyeing another position that is not yet available.”
Akpabio, who led Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015, reflected on his own political journey, noting that his success over the past 25 years stems from staying close to the electorate. “I have many people from one of the states here, but you have to enjoy the truth. Take it from me, I have been in this business for over 25 years, and I always win. The reason I always win is because I stand with people. Go and mend your clothes when they are not torn,” he said.
Earlier this year, the [Senate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_(Nigeria)) amended its rules so that only senators with at least eight years of service – equivalent to two consecutive terms – may contest for the offices of Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
Unverified reports suggest that a governor whose term will still be active when the 11th Senate convenes is eyeing the Senate President’s seat. Allegedly, the governor plans to resign and run for the Senate as part of an ambition to succeed Akpabio. However, under the new rule, a former senator who has been out of the National Assembly for eight years would be ineligible for the Senate Presidency.
It remains unclear whether Akpabio’s remarks were directed at this particular governor, who was among the speakers before the incumbent Senate President took the podium at the campaign council inauguration.