Akpabio denies promising APC tickets to senators defeated in primaries

By Emmanuel Okogba

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed reports suggesting he promised automatic senatorial tickets to lawmakers who lost in the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections.

Akpabio’s clarification follows comments he made while addressing senators upon their return from a three-week recess and the Eid-el-Kabir holiday, during which he expressed optimism that efforts were being made to address concerns arising from the party’s primary process.

Speaking at the plenary session, the Senate President acknowledged the challenges faced by some lawmakers and noted that the leadership of the Senate was working to minimise disappointments among members.

However, in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio said reports claiming he guaranteed tickets for affected senators were inaccurate.

According to the statement, the Senate President merely sympathised with colleagues who were unsuccessful in the primaries and assured them that the APC leadership was reviewing issues arising from the exercise.

“What the President of the Senate actually said was to empathise with senators who were affected negatively by the outcome of their primary elections,” the statement said.

“He assured them that the leadership of the APC is actively working to address all issues arising from the primaries and that the final list of candidates will be released in due course in line with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.”

Akpabio reiterated his commitment to party procedures and due process, stressing that he would not interfere in the APC’s internal affairs or make commitments beyond his constitutional role as Senate President.

The clarification comes after several serving senators failed to secure their party’s tickets during the APC primaries held across the country.

Meanwhile, Akpabio also weighed in on calls for a legislative probe into recent security incidents involving the military.

While acknowledging that oversight of government institutions is a constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly, he said a public investigation into military operations may not be appropriate at this time.

According to him, Nigeria’s armed forces are currently engaged in multiple security operations across the country, and public hearings could affect their morale and operational effectiveness.

Instead, Akpabio advocated continued engagement with security agencies through consultations and other non-public mechanisms aimed at strengthening national security efforts.

He maintained that cooperation between the legislature and security institutions remains essential in addressing the country’s security challenges.

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