Senate President Godswill Akpabio has rejected reports that he promised to restore senatorial tickets to lawmakers who lost in the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections, describing the claims as misleading and inaccurate. A statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, said Akpabio’s remarks during a Tuesday interaction with senators were taken out of context.
According to the statement, the Senate President only expressed sympathy for affected senators and informed them that the APC leadership was already working to address concerns arising from the primaries. “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 read.
The clarification followed widespread reports that Akpabio had assured losing senators their candidacies would be restored before the final submission of candidates for the 2027 general election. Eyiboh stressed that Akpabio 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 said.
On Military ProbeThe Senate President’s office also addressed reports linking Akpabio to remarks on calls for a legislative investigation into the military over recent security incidents across the country.
While affirming that oversight is a constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly, the statement said Akpabio believes the current security climate calls for collaboration rather than a public probe of the Armed Forces.
The office warned that subjecting the military to open legislative scrutiny while troops are engaged in active counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations could damage morale and compromise operational focus.
“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. The Senate President instead favours closed-door consultations with security agencies as a more productive approach to discharging oversight responsibilities at this critical period.
“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,” the statement concluded.
