Tinubu’s 11th Assembly Masterplan: Akpabio, Abbas, and Barau Set for Continuity as Lawmakers Scramble for Re-election

ABUJA, FCT – In a significant move to ensure legislative stability, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly given his "green light" for the current leadership of the National Assembly to retain their seats in the upcoming 11th Assembly. This strategy aims to maintain the "core team" that has facilitated the administration’s executive-legislative synergy over the past few years.

The Continuity Pact

Sources close to the Presidency have revealed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas have received assurances of support for their re-election as presiding officers. According to Tomorrows Best, this decision was a key factor in Speaker Abbas's recent move to drop his Senatorial ambition in Kaduna North, opting instead to re-contest for his current Zaria Federal Constituency seat.

While the top trio is set for continuity, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, is reportedly charting a different course as he eyes a governorship seat in the next election cycle. This opens a potential vacuum in the House leadership hierarchy that other ambitious lawmakers are already eyeing.

New Senate Rules: The "Experience" Barrier

In a related development, the 10th Senate recently amended its Standing Orders (Order 4) to restrict leadership eligibility. Under the new 2026 rules, only returning members with immediate prior legislative experience can contest for presiding roles. This "ranking" system is designed to preserve institutional memory and procedural expertise.

Key Officer	Position	11th Assembly Status
Godswill Akpabio	Senate President	Backed for Retention
Tajudeen Abbas	Speaker (House)	Backed for Retention
Jibrin Barau	Deputy Senate President	Backed for Retention
Benjamin Kalu	Deputy Speaker	Governorship Ambition

The Re-election Battleground

As the "Continuity Mandate" takes shape, a long list of heavyweights from across the APC, PDP, LP, and NDC are intensifying their grassroots campaigns. Tomorrows Best has compiled a list of key Senators who are currently battling to secure their return tickets to the Red Chamber.

Notable Senators Seeking Re-election:

• Lagos: Oluranti Adebule, Wasiu Eshilokun, Adetokunbo Abiru
• Gombe: Danjuma Goje, Hassan Dankwambo
• Delta: Ned Nwoko, Efe Dafinone
• Yobe/Borno: Ahmad Lawan, Kaka Lawan

"The President has no plan to change his core team. Whoever is aspiring for National Assembly office should embark on wider consultations before taking a political plunge." — Presidency Source

Did You Know? According to the Electoral Act 2026, political parties must finalize their list of candidates and affidavits early to avoid double nomination issues that have plagued previous election cycles.

Is continuity the best path for Nigeria's 11th Assembly?
Let us know your views in the comments! — Tomorrows Best Team