Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has raised concerns over how Godswill Akpabio became the Senate President, saying the process that led to his emergence is questionable.
Speaking during an interview on News Central on April 18, 2026, Farotimi said Akpabio’s rise to the top seat in the Senate points to deeper problems within Nigeria’s political and electoral system.
He argued that the system allows people, he believes, who do not meet the required standards to occupy important public offices.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Farotimi explained that there were issues linked to the legal and procedural aspects of Akpabio’s participation in the process that led to his leadership position. According to him, some parts of the electoral laws that guide eligibility and participation were not properly followed.
He added that this situation raises doubts about whether due process was respected and whether the rules guiding political offices were fully applied. Farotimi maintained that the matter goes beyond one individual and reflects a wider problem in how political positions are attained in the country.
He said: “Persons like Akpabio who emerged in the Senate in spite of the fact that he’s not even qualified to run, he was expressively disqualified by provisions of the electoral act”.