‘I Saw Akpabio Begging Tinubu to Keep His Position’ — Jake Epelle Makes Fresh Claim

Political commentator Jake Epelle has criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his continued leadership of the Nigerian Senate, alleging that he saw the Senate President appealing to President Bola Tinubu to retain his position.

Epelle made the allegation during an interview on Channels Television, where he questioned the place of personal relationships and political influence in determining who occupies the leadership positions of the National Assembly.

According to a report published by Naija News on Monday, October 19, 2026, Epelle argued that the office of the Senate President is a constitutional position that must be governed by established legislative rules and democratic principles.

The commentator maintained that no individual should regard a public office as a personal possession or an entitlement that can be retained indefinitely.

Epelle Questions Akpabio’s Approach to Senate Leadership

During the interview, Epelle said he had seen Akpabio at the State House, where he alleged that the Senate President was appealing to Tinubu to help him retain his position.

“I saw Akpabio at the State House, literally begging the President to keep his position,” Epelle said.

He further argued that Akpabio, being a lawyer, should recognise the constitutional nature of the office he occupies and the importance of respecting the rules governing the National Assembly.

Epelle stressed that the Senate presidency should not be treated as a hereditary title or a position that can be preserved solely through political connections.

His remarks raise questions about the relationship between the executive arm of government and the leadership of the legislature, particularly when political considerations intersect with the selection and retention of key parliamentary offices.

However, the allegation about what Epelle said he witnessed remains his personal account. It should not be treated as independently established fact without further corroboration or a response from the parties concerned.

Senate Presidency and Constitutional Principles

The Nigerian Senate is the upper chamber of the National Assembly, and its leadership plays a significant role in legislative business, parliamentary administration and the relationship between lawmakers and the executive.

The Constitution of Nigeria and the Senate’s standing rules provide the framework within which the chamber conducts its affairs and determines its leadership.

Consequently, debates about the Senate presidency often extend beyond individual politicians to questions about legislative independence, internal party dynamics and the balance of power among the arms of government.

Epelle’s intervention centres on the argument that established rules and democratic procedures should take precedence over personal relationships when determining the future of political officeholders.

His position also highlights a recurring issue in Nigerian politics: the extent to which the influence of the President and the ruling party shapes decisions within the legislature.

Nevertheless, the precise circumstances surrounding the alleged meeting and whether any request was made to Tinubu have not been independently established in the report.

Tinubu’s Influence and the Politics of the National Assembly

As President and a leading figure in the ruling political establishment, Tinubu occupies an influential position in national political negotiations. His relationship with lawmakers can affect legislative cooperation, party cohesion and the implementation of government policies.

However, the Senate presidency is a legislative office, and questions concerning its leadership must be considered within the relevant constitutional and parliamentary framework.

The distinction is important because cooperation between the executive and legislature does not eliminate the need for each institution to exercise its responsibilities independently.

While political negotiations are a familiar feature of parliamentary democracies, concerns may arise when such negotiations are perceived to undermine institutional autonomy or make public offices appear dependent on the goodwill of individual political leaders.

Epelle’s comments reflect these broader concerns, although his specific allegation requires evidence beyond the interview statement itself before any definitive conclusion can be drawn.

Why the Allegation Matters

The controversy is significant because the Senate President is one of the most prominent political officeholders in Nigeria. Public perceptions of how the office is secured or retained can influence confidence in the independence of the legislature.

If political influence becomes the dominant consideration in legislative leadership decisions, critics may question whether parliamentary institutions are sufficiently insulated from executive pressure.

On the other hand, political consultations between party leaders and lawmakers are not, by themselves, proof of constitutional wrongdoing. The substance of any discussion, the applicable rules and the evidence available are essential to assessing such claims fairly.

Akpabio’s own position and any response from the Presidency would therefore be relevant to a fuller understanding of the matter.

Jake Epelle’s allegation that he saw Senate President Godswill Akpabio appealing to President Bola Tinubu to retain his position has brought renewed attention to questions surrounding political influence and legislative independence in Nigeria.

His central argument is that the Senate presidency should be governed by constitutional provisions, parliamentary rules and democratic principles rather than treated as a personal entitlement.

Whether the allegation accurately reflects the circumstances of the reported encounter remains a separate question requiring corroboration. For now, the comments provide another perspective on the relationship between Nigeria’s executive and legislative leadership.