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From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has distanced himself from reports claiming he promised to secure senatorial tickets for lawmakers who lost in the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President clarified that his remarks during an interaction with senators on Tuesday were misconstrued.
The Senate President’s office described the reports as misleading and inaccurate, insisting that Akpabio neither made nor authorised such a promise.
According to the statement, Akpabio merely expressed sympathy for senators adversely affected by the outcome of the primaries and informed them that the APC leadership was already working to address concerns arising from the exercise.
“What the President of the Senate actually said, in the course of interacting with his colleagues, was to empathise with senators who were affected negatively by the outcome of their primary elections.
“He assured them that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (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.
The clarification followed widespread reports suggesting that Akpabio had assured senators who lost their tickets that their candidacies would be restored before the final submission of candidates for the 2027 general election.
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Eyiboh stressed that the Senate President remains committed to party discipline and due process and would not interfere in the internal affairs of the ruling party.
“Senator Akpabio remains committed to party discipline, due process, and the internal mechanisms of the APC for resolving disputes. He will not interfere with the autonomous processes of the party or make commitments that are outside the purview of the National Assembly leadership,” the statement added.
The Senate President’s office also addressed reports linking Akpabio to comments on calls for a Senate investigation into the military over recent security incidents across the country.
While acknowledging that legislative oversight is a constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly, the statement said Akpabio believes the prevailing security situation requires a more collaborative approach rather than a public probe of the Armed Forces.
According to the statement, subjecting the military to public legislative scrutiny at a time when troops are engaged in counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations could affect their morale and operational effectiveness.
“At a time when our troops are engaged on multiple fronts against terrorism, banditry and other threats to national security, subjecting the military to a public legislative inquisition could undermine their morale and operational focus,” the statement said.
It added that the Senate President favours engagement with security agencies through consultations and closed-door interactions while ensuring that legislative oversight responsibilities are discharged responsibly.
“The Senate President believes strongly that support, collaboration and closed-door engagements with security agencies are more productive at this critical time. Oversight will be exercised responsibly, without creating distractions that embolden adversaries or divert attention from the urgent task of securing Nigeria and its people.”
