Godswill Akpabio: The First Officer of the National Assembly (NASS) to Ever Resign His Position in Defense of the Government of the Day
In the intricate world of Nigerian politics, where loyalty, ambition, and regional interests often collide, few actions stand out as purely selfless. One such rare instance is the remarkable resignation of Senator Godswill Akpabio from his position as Senate Minority Leader in 2018, in defense of the government of the day. This unprecedented move marked a significant moment in Nigerian political history and reshaped the trajectory of governance at the time. The act itself, while largely underappreciated by many, deserves to be analyzed within the context of Nigeria’s evolving political dynamics.
Akpabio‘s resignation was not a small or insignificant act. In fact, it was the first time in the history of the National Assembly (NASS) that a ranking officer voluntarily resigned in defense of the sitting president and his government. The man who had once been a leading figure in the opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), stepped down from his position in the Senate, going against the tide of his party’s opposition to then-President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. The resignation sent shockwaves through the political elite, particularly those within the opposition camp, and brought to light a new dimension of political allegiance and loyalty in Nigeria’s federal system.
To understand the gravity of Akpabio’s resignation, it’s important to revisit the political climate of Nigeria in 2018. At the time, Nigeria was heading into a politically charged period, with the 2019 general elections on the horizon. The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, a Northerner from the All Progressives Congress (APC), was facing significant opposition from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a party that had ruled the country for over 16 years before losing power in 2015. Under the leadership of Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the 8th National Assembly was dominated by the opposition, which created a constant showdown with the executive branch of government.
Saraki, who was then the President of the Senate, had publicly positioned himself as a strong critic of Buhari’s administration, which created a power struggle between the executive and legislative arms of government. This political standoff came to a head in the second half of 2018 when the rift between the legislative and executive branches seemed to be growing irreparably wide. Saraki and his supporters were particularly vocal in their opposition to Buhari, questioning his leadership and policies on a wide range of issues, from security to economic reform.
For many, Saraki’s defiant stance against Buhari seemed to be an ideological and political maneuver designed to undermine the effectiveness of the government. As the political temperature rose, it became clear that the National Assembly, under Saraki’s leadership, was becoming a significant impediment to the administration of President Buhari.
In the face of this growing political tension, Godswill Akpabio, who was then the Senate Minority Leader, made the bold decision to resign from his position. His resignation was motivated by his belief that the Senate, which was largely controlled by the opposition, could not continue to oppose the president and still expect Nigeria to move forward. Akpabio, a Southern Christian leader from the oil-rich state of Akwa Ibom, chose loyalty to the government of the day over loyalty to his party.
Akpabio’s decision to resign was grounded in his conviction that for Nigeria to make progress, the National Assembly had to find a way to collaborate with the executive, even if it meant sacrificing party politics and personal ambition. His words on the matter were profound: “The entire Senate cannot be against the President if we want Nigeria to move forward. Let the opposition do its job and majority provide support for the government. I won’t be part of those who want to bring Nigeria down.”
This was not just an expression of political disagreement, but a statement of loyalty to the state and the nation. Akpabio was willing to put the country above party loyalty, a rare and courageous move that ultimately stabilized Buhari’s government. His resignation from the Senate Minority Leader position was symbolic of his commitment to the national interest, even at the cost of his political career.
Akpabio’s resignation proved to be a game-changer for the Buhari administration. It was a strategic move that had far-reaching implications for the National Assembly’s relationship with the executive. By stepping down from his leadership role within the opposition, Akpabio provided a much-needed boost to the Buhari administration’s ability to push through its legislative agenda. His decision to join forces with the ruling APC ensured that the legislative arm of government was no longer entirely hostile to the executive, which was crucial in a system that requires cooperation between both arms of government.
Akpabio’s resignation helped pave the way for the eventual defection of several other opposition senators and lawmakers to the APC, which significantly shifted the balance of power within the National Assembly. By breaking ranks with the PDP and aligning himself with Buhari’s government, Akpabio not only stabilized the executive-legislative relationship but also contributed to the APC’s dominance in the Senate. The impact of this realignment was felt in the passage of key legislation, such as the budget and various economic reforms, which had been stalled due to the ongoing political gridlock between the two branches of government.
Furthermore, Akpabio’s decision to side with Buhari was a testament to his political acumen and understanding of Nigeria’s broader political landscape. His move was not just a symbolic act of loyalty, but also a strategic calculation in a country where the balance of power often shifts rapidly, and political survival depends on making the right alliances.
One of the most striking elements of Akpabio’s resignation and his subsequent alignment with Buhari’s administration was the fact that Akpabio is a Southern Christian leader. Nigeria, a country with a complex ethnic and religious makeup, has long been characterized by political divisions between the North and South, as well as between Muslims and Christians. The 2015 election of Buhari, a Muslim from the North, alongside his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a Christian from the South, was seen as a politically significant move, but it did little to quell the tensions between the two major religious and ethnic groups in Nigeria.
However, Akpabio’s decision to step down from the Senate Minority Leader position and support Buhari’s government was a significant moment in the political history of Nigeria’s religious dynamics. Akpabio, a prominent Christian from the South, chose to stand with a Northern Muslim president, defying the usual religious divides that have often characterized Nigerian politics.
In a time when religious and regional differences often fuel political tensions, Akpabio’s action was an example of a rare cross-regional and cross-religious alliance. His decision reinforced the idea that political leadership in Nigeria should be about national unity, not about perpetuating divisive narratives that separate the country along religious or ethnic lines.
Fast forward to 2025, and we find that Northern political elites are now working diligently to unseat Godswill Akpabio from his position as Senate President, despite the sacrifices he made in the past to stabilize the administration of a Northerner, Muhammadu Buhari. Akpabio, now in the role of Senate President, has once again found himself at the center of political conflict, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections.
The political campaign against Akpabio appears to be a coordinated effort to weaken the influence of the South, especially as it relates to the leadership of the Senate. Some Northern elites have expressed concerns about Akpabio’s leadership, and there have been calls for his resignation, particularly from factions that feel threatened by his position as a ranking Southern Christian leader in a Muslim-Muslim administration.
This ongoing campaign is not merely about personal animus or political rivalry; it is deeply tied to the regional power struggle that has been a constant feature of Nigerian politics. The North, which has traditionally held the reins of power, fears that the South’s increasing influence, particularly under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, could threaten their dominance in the 2027 elections. Akpabio, as a prominent Southern leader, represents a formidable force in the political landscape, and Northern elites may see his continued position as Senate President as a challenge to their long-standing control over Nigerian politics.
Godswill Akpabio’s resignation as Senate Minority Leader in 2018 was a defining moment in Nigerian political history. It was a bold, unprecedented move that put the country’s interests ahead of party loyalty, and it helped stabilize the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari during a critical period of tension between the executive and the legislature. His actions demonstrated a rare form of political integrity and foresight, qualities that are often missing in a political system defined by self-interest and factionalism.
As the country approaches the 2027 elections, the political battles of the past are still influencing the strategies and power plays of today. The ongoing efforts to unseat Akpabio from his current position as Senate President are part of a broader effort to shape the political landscape of Nigeria. However, the history of Akpabio’s resignation stands as a testament to the fact that leadership, at its best, is about putting the national interest above personal or regional ambition.
Akpabio’s decision to support Buhari’s administration in 2018, despite being part of the opposition, showed that true statesmanship is about making difficult choices for the greater good. It remains one of the most selfless acts of political courage in Nigeria’s recent history. As we move forward into a new political era, the lessons of 2018 should serve as a reminder that sometimes, the greatest contributions to national progress come from those who are willing to put aside partisan interests for the sake of unity and national development.
Excerpt from George Udom
