Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed reports suggesting that he promised automatic senatorial tickets to lawmakers who lost during the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections, as discontent continues to trail the outcome of the party’s nomination process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The controversy emerged after remarks made by Akpabio during a Senate plenary session were interpreted by some observers as an assurance that senators who failed to secure party tickets would eventually be accommodated by the APC leadership. The comments generated widespread reactions, particularly among politicians and party members dissatisfied with the conduct and outcome of the primaries.
However, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio rejected the reports, insisting that he never guaranteed tickets for any senator. According to the statement, the Senate President merely sympathised with affected lawmakers and expressed hope that issues arising from the primaries would be addressed through the party’s internal mechanisms.
“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. It further explained that Akpabio only assured his colleagues that the APC leadership was reviewing complaints arising from the primaries and that the final list of candidates would be released in accordance with party rules and electoral guidelines.
The clarification comes against the backdrop of significant upheavals within the ruling party, with several serving senators failing to secure renomination tickets during the APC primaries. The outcome has triggered protests, grievances and allegations of imposition in some states, exposing growing tensions within the party ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Akpabio also used the opportunity to address calls for a legislative probe into recent security failures, arguing that while parliamentary oversight remains important, public investigations into military operations could undermine troop morale at a time when security forces are battling terrorism, banditry and other threats across the country. He advocated continued engagement with security agencies through consultations and other non-public channels.
The latest controversy highlights the growing political manoeuvring within the APC as politicians position themselves for the 2027 elections. While party leaders insist that internal disputes will be resolved through established procedures, the fallout from the primaries continues to generate debate about internal democracy, transparency and the future direction of the ruling party.
