Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed reports alleging that he promised automatic All Progressives Congress (APC) tickets to senators who lost during the party’s recent primary elections.
Akpabio clarified that he merely sympathized with affected lawmakers and assured them that the APC leadership was reviewing complaints arising from the primaries in accordance with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.
The clarification followed remarks made by the Senate President during plenary after senators resumed from a three-week recess and the Eid-el-Kabir holiday.
While addressing lawmakers, Akpabio acknowledged the concerns of members who failed to secure the party’s tickets and expressed optimism that efforts were being made to resolve issues stemming from the APC primaries.
However, a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, said reports claiming that Akpabio guaranteed tickets to defeated senators were inaccurate.
According to the statement, the Senate President only expressed empathy with colleagues affected by the outcome of the primary elections.
What the President of the Senate actually said was to empathise with senators who were affected negatively by the outcome of their primary elections.
“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,” the statement said.
Akpabio stressed that he remains committed to due process and would not interfere in the internal affairs of the ruling party or make promises beyond his constitutional responsibilities as Senate President.
The clarification comes amid concerns within the ruling party after several serving senators failed to secure their tickets during the APC primaries conducted across the country.
Political observers have continued to speculate on possible interventions by the party leadership to address grievances arising from the exercise.
Meanwhile, the Senate President also commented on calls for a legislative investigation into recent security incidents involving the Nigerian military.
While acknowledging that oversight of government institutions is part of the constitutional responsibilities of the National Assembly, Akpabio cautioned against conducting public hearings on military operations at a time when the armed forces are engaged in several security campaigns nationwide.
According to him, such investigations could negatively affect troop morale and undermine ongoing operations.
Instead, he advocated continued consultations and behind-the-scenes engagement with security agencies as part of efforts to strengthen national security.
He added that cooperation between the legislature and the military remains essential in addressing the country’s security challenges.
