Akpabio Denies Promising APC tickets to senators who were unsuccessful in the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections. The Senate President dismissed reports suggesting he guaranteed automatic nominations for affected lawmakers, stating that his comments were intended only to express sympathy and reassure colleagues that party leaders were reviewing concerns arising from the primary process.
The clarification followed remarks made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary after lawmakers resumed from a three-week recess and the Eid-el-Kabir holiday. While addressing senators, he acknowledged the disappointment experienced by some members who failed to secure APC nominations and noted that efforts were underway to address issues resulting from the primaries.
Subsequent reports interpreted those remarks as a promise of automatic tickets for senators who lost the party’s internal elections. The Senate President has now moved to correct that interpretation.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio said reports claiming he guaranteed nominations were inaccurate. According to the statement, the Senate President merely expressed concern for colleagues affected by the outcome of the APC primaries and assured them that party leaders were reviewing matters 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.” The statement further stressed that candidate selection remains the responsibility of the APC and must follow established constitutional and electoral procedures.
As part of the Akpabio Denies Promising APC clarification, the Senate President reiterated that he would not interfere in the internal affairs of the ruling party or make commitments outside his constitutional role as leader of the Senate. The development comes after several serving senators failed to secure party tickets during the APC primaries conducted across different states.
Akpabio also commented on calls for a legislative investigation into recent security incidents involving the military. While acknowledging that oversight of government institutions remains a constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly, he argued that public hearings on military operations may not be appropriate at this stage.
According to him, the armed forces are currently engaged in multiple security operations nationwide, and public investigations could affect operational effectiveness and troop morale. He instead advocated continued engagement with security agencies through consultations and other non-public mechanisms aimed at strengthening national security efforts.
The Akpabio Denies Promising APC statement may help clarify concerns among party members regarding reports of preferential treatment in the nomination process. It also reinforces the position that party candidacies must emerge through established procedures rather than individual assurances.
His remarks on security oversight further reflect ongoing discussions about balancing legislative accountability with support for security institutions confronting threats across the country.
