Akpabio denies promising APC tickets to senators defeated in primaries
Senate President Denies Promising Tickets to Defeated APC Senators
By Emmanuel Okogba
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has refuted allegations that he promised automatic senatorial tickets to lawmakers who did not succeed in the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections.
Akpabio’s comments came after he addressed senators upon their return from a three-week recess and the Eid-el-Kabir holiday. He expressed optimism about ongoing efforts to address concerns related to the party’s primary process.
In remarks made during the plenary session, Akpabio acknowledged the difficulties faced by certain lawmakers, assuring them that Senate leadership was working to minimize disappointments resulting from the primaries.
However, a statement released on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, clarified that reports suggesting Akpabio guaranteed tickets for affected senators were incorrect.
The statement emphasized that Akpabio merely expressed sympathy for those affected by the primary elections and indicated that the APC leadership was in the process of reviewing the issues stemming from the exercise.
“The President of the Senate actually said to empathize with senators who were negatively impacted by the outcomes of their primary elections,” the statement read. “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 accordance with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.”
Akpabio reaffirmed his commitment to adhering to party procedures and stated that he would not interfere in the APC’s internal affairs or make commitments outside his constitutional responsibilities as Senate President.
This clarification follows the recent primary elections during which several serving senators were unable to secure their party’s nominations.
In related news, Akpabio addressed calls for a legislative investigation into recent military security incidents. He acknowledged that oversight of government institutions is a constitutional duty of the National Assembly but stated that a public inquiry into military operations may not be prudent at this time.
He noted that Nigeria’s armed forces are currently involved in various security operations across the nation, suggesting that public hearings could undermine their morale and operational effectiveness.
Instead, Akpabio advocated for continued collaboration with security agencies through consultations and other private channels aimed at bolstering national security efforts. He stressed the importance of cooperation between the legislature and security institutions in tackling the country’s security challenges.
