He urged Akpabio and his group to perceive that the Senate isn’t a monarchy, including that the previous Akwa Ibom State governor and people who listened to him had been violating the Constitution and slapping Nigerians within the face.
Recall that on October 15, 2026, senators backed a motion declaring that there was “no vacancy” within the Senate presidency, signalling assist for Akpabio to return for one more time period even earlier than the 2027 basic election.
However, the motion, which some analysts have described as an indication of desperation, solely expresses political assist for the Senate President however doesn’t robotically assure Akpabio’s re-election.
The incoming eleventh Senate should nonetheless elect its presiding officers when it’s inaugurated in 2027.
Speaking on Arise News, Epelle issued a direct warning to the present Senate, insisting that its members should not flip the hallowed chamber right into a one-man enterprise.
“Number one, Akpabio and his team must understand that the Senate is not a monarchy, neither is the Senate presidency a hereditary throne.
“There is no transfer of position or legislative position to an individual by merely pronouncing it or passing a motion when this is practically an electable position.
“Let me say that the likes of Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, who sat and listened to that kind of motion, whatever it is called, are in total violation of the Constitution.
“I think I will go further to say it is a slap in Nigerians’ faces because Section 50, Subsection One, up to Section 60, clarifies what has to be done for the position of Senate President.
“He has to be practically elected by the newly elected Assembly members.
“So, invariably, I think he was ill-advised, even allowing whoever presented that motion to present it, because what you are simply saying is that you have already been selected and are already sure of returning as a member of the 11th National Assembly or Senate.
“So, is there something they are telling us? Is there a script they are trying to play out? Are they saying that they have already been selected, whether there is an election or not?
“I saw him at the State House, literally begging the President to keep his position. So, what I am saying is that he is a lawyer.
“He should have known that this is a total violation of the very Constitution he swore, as a lawyer, to uphold, and which he also swore to uphold as Senate President.
“It is a total assault on the Constitution, a slap in the face of Nigerians and very undemocratic.”
