{
  "id": 14861555,
  "title": "Senate Declares ‘No Vacancy’ as Akpabio, Barau Secure Backing for 11th Assembly",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/senate-declares-no-vacancy-as-akpabio-barau-secure-backing-for-11th",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T03:46:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/10/16/senate-declares-no-vacancy-as-akpabio-barau-secure-backing-for-11th-assembly/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Senate President Godswill Akpabio secured the backing of the Senate to retain his position in the 11th National Assembly, with Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno declaring that there would be \"no vacancy\" in key offices. Monguno's declaration, made during a spontaneous motion, included the roles of Senate President, Deputy Senate President, and other principal officers, as well as those who would win re-election in the 2027 general election. The endorsement reflected lawmakers' intention to consolidate support for the current leadership ahead of the next Assembly's inauguration. The development came amid concerns about political opponents exploiting controversies to undermine Akpabio's reputation. Akpabio's position was also supported by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and other key figures. The declaration, however, does not exempt newly elected senators from electing their own presiding officers when the 11th National Assembly is inaugurated.",
  "summary": "Sunday Aborisade in Abuja Senate, yesterday, threw its weight behind Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s bid to retain his position in the 11th National Assembly, declaring that there would be “no",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}