The Senate on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution declaring that there is no vacancy in the office of the Senate President, currently occupied by Senator Godswill Akpabio, amid what lawmakers described as political attacks against the leadership of the upper legislative chamber.

The resolution followed remarks by Akpabio during plenary, where he cautioned against the misrepresentation of his comments on a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria.

Akpabio said his contributions to the debate had been taken out of context, insisting that he would not make disparaging remarks about any religion. He also stressed that terrorism should not be associated with any particular religion, arguing that those responsible for destabilising the country should not be defined by religious identity.

The Senate President explained that his comments on the proposed legislation were made in the context of ongoing legislative deliberations and contemporary approaches to lawmaking.

He further disclosed that his aide-de-camp (ADC), who had served him for 19 years, was a Muslim, adding that his personal and professional relationships reflected his respect for different religious beliefs.

Speaking amid the controversy, Akpabio said the offices of President and Vice-President had already been settled, suggesting that the Senate Presidency had become a target of political attacks.

Supporting the resolution, Senator Fasuyi backed a motion moved by Senator Monguno, affirming that the Senate President’s seat was not vacant and would remain occupied by Akpabio.

Similarly, Senator Babangida Hussaini expressed support for Akpabio’s continued leadership, highlighting his contributions to his state and endorsing his return. Hussaini also called for urgent action to tackle hard drugs and substance abuse, which he linked to criminality, banditry and terrorism.

The controversy stemmed from Tuesday’s plenary, when the Senate considered a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide and establish a framework for suicide prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

During the debate, Senator Asuquo, who presented the bill, argued that survivors of suicide attempts should receive medical and psychological care rather than face prosecution and imprisonment.

He explained that the proposed legislation would replace criminal punishment with a coordinated system of clinical assessment, treatment, referrals and follow-up support for survivors.

According to him, the bill would also provide a legal and institutional framework for suicide prevention involving government agencies, healthcare facilities, first responders and communities.

Asuquo maintained that criminalising attempted suicide could discourage vulnerable people from seeking help and potentially compel some to take more drastic measures out of fear of imprisonment.

However, Akpabio was reported to have responded that attempted suicide remained a criminal offence under the existing legal framework, making remarks that subsequently generated public controversy.

The proposed legislation seeks to shift Nigeria’s response to attempted suicide from punishment to prevention, medical intervention and rehabilitation, ensuring that survivors can access appropriate care.

The Senate’s Thursday resolution declaring that there is no vacancy in the Senate Presidency came amid the public debate surrounding Akpabio’s comments, with lawmakers expressing support for his continued leadership of the chamber.

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has described the broad political support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council as an unusual development in Nigeria’s democratic history.

Soludo made the observation on Wednesday, October 14, in Abuja, noting that the participation of political leaders and stakeholders from different party affiliations reflected a significant level of cross-party cooperation around the President’s re-election bid.

In his remarks, the governor, who was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), said his party’s support for Tinubu was driven by shared interests in national unity, security and economic prosperity.

He pointed to the presence of approximately 31 governors at the gathering as an indication of the broad political alignment surrounding the President, while the participation of political figures across party lines underscored the growing dynamics of political cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, also defended the economic direction of the Tinubu administration, describing its policy approach as *pragmatic progressivism*.

Drawing on his background in economics, he argued that the administration had demonstrated a willingness to confront longstanding structural challenges and implement difficult reforms aimed at stabilising the economy and laying the foundation for sustainable growth.

According to the governor, the administration’s economic decisions should be assessed against the structural challenges confronting Nigeria, as well as the broader objectives of fiscal stability, economic recovery and national prosperity.

While acknowledging the wider debate over the impact of economic reforms on ordinary Nigerians, Soludo maintained that addressing deep-rooted economic challenges required difficult policy choices and sustained commitment to reform.

His participation in the APC Presidential Campaign Council inauguration, despite his membership of APGA, further highlighted the evolving nature of political alliances and cross-party engagement in Nigeria.

In a review of the event, the Media and Publicity Team of the Forum of Chief Executives of Federal Parastatals (FORCEPA) identified Soludo’s intervention as a significant contribution to discussions on economic policy, political consensus and national development ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

FORCEPA emphasised the importance of effective public institutions in translating government policies into measurable development outcomes, promoting accountability and ensuring that credible information on public-sector performance is accessible to Nigerians.

The Forum noted that sustained political engagement and objective assessments of economic policies remain essential to strengthening democratic governance and advancing national development.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged opposition politicians to acknowledge the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, insisting that political differences should not override objective assessments of government policies and performance.

Wike made the call on Wednesday, October 14, during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, where political leaders, governors and other stakeholders gathered ahead of the forthcoming presidential electioneering campaign.

Speaking at the event, the former Rivers State governor reaffirmed his position as a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while explaining his support for President Tinubu. He argued that party affiliation should not prevent political leaders from recognising policies and decisions they consider beneficial to the nation.

Wike faulted opposition narratives portraying the Tinubu administration as lacking direction, maintaining that the President had demonstrated the political will to confront difficult national challenges that previous administrations had struggled to address.

On national security, the FCT Minister expressed confidence in the administration’s capacity to tackle insecurity, pointing to the proposed establishment of state police as a potential reform to strengthen security operations. The proposal remains a subject of national debate, particularly regarding constitutional provisions, funding, accountability and coordination between federal and state authorities.

Wike also charged members of the Presidential Campaign Council to translate their appointments and political influence into measurable electoral results within their respective areas of responsibility, stressing the importance of performance over political titles.

In a review of the inauguration, the Media and Publicity Team of the Forum of Chief Executives of Federal Parastatals (FORCEPA) identified Wike’s intervention as one of the notable contributions to discussions on governance, political cooperation and national development.

The inauguration also featured political stakeholders from different party backgrounds, including Anambra State Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, highlighting the broader political conversations surrounding the administration and the emerging electoral landscape.

FORCEPA noted that constructive political engagement requires stakeholders to assess government performance through verifiable policies, measurable outcomes and their impact on the lives of Nigerians, rather than allowing partisan considerations to dominate public discourse.

The Forum further emphasised the importance of accountability, effective governance and sustained dialogue among political actors in advancing national development.