The Office of the President of the Senate has dismissed reports claiming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio promised to secure senatorial tickets for lawmakers who lost out in the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Akpabio’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, described the reports as false, misleading and a deliberate misrepresentation of the Senate President’s comments during discussions with his colleagues.
According to the statement, Akpabio never made any promise to guarantee electoral tickets for senators affected by the outcome of the APC primaries and did not authorize anyone to make such assurances on his behalf.
The clarification comes amid growing political discussions within the ruling party following the conclusion of primary elections conducted ahead of forthcoming electoral contests. In several states, the primaries produced winners and losers, with some serving lawmakers reportedly expressing dissatisfaction over the outcomes.
Eyiboh said reports suggesting that the Senate President had pledged to ensure that senators who lost their primaries would eventually secure tickets were completely inaccurate and should be disregarded.
He explained that Akpabio’s comments were merely intended to encourage and sympathizes with affected lawmakers who felt disappointed by the outcome of the exercise.
According to him, the Senate President acknowledged the concerns raised by some senators but emphasised that the APC leadership was already working to address issues arising from the primaries through established party channels.
“What the President of the Senate actually said, in the course of interacting with his colleagues, was to empathize with senators who were affected negatively by the outcome of their primary elections.
“He assured them that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress 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 is seen as an attempt to address concerns generated by reports that suggested Akpabio had promised to influence the party’s candidate selection process.
Under Nigeria’s electoral framework, political parties are expected to conduct primaries and submit the names of successful candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within stipulated timelines. Aggrieved aspirants usually seek redress through party mechanisms or the courts where necessary.
Eyiboh stressed that Akpabio remains committed to party discipline and due process and has always respected the constitutional structures of the APC.
He stated that the Senate President would not interfere with the internal processes of the party or make promises that fall outside the authority of the leadership of the National Assembly.
According to him, Akpabio believes strongly in allowing party institutions to function independently and in accordance with established rules.
The statement further noted that issues arising from the primaries would be handled through the APC’s dispute-resolution mechanisms and relevant constitutional provisions.
The aide said any suggestion that the Senate President was attempting to influence the final list of candidates was entirely incorrect.
The latest clarification comes at a time when political activities within major parties are intensifying ahead of future elections, with stakeholders closely monitoring developments surrounding party nominations and internal disputes.
Beyond the issue of party primaries, the Senate President’s office also addressed reports concerning his position on legislative scrutiny of the military over recent security incidents across the country.
The statement said some reports had wrongly portrayed Akpabio as being opposed to the constitutional oversight responsibilities of the National Assembly.
Eyiboh explained that the Senate President fully recognises the importance of legislative oversight and understands that the National Assembly has a constitutional duty to monitor the activities of government institutions, including the military.
However, he said Akpabio’s position is that the current security situation in the country requires a careful and balanced approach that does not negatively affect the morale of troops engaged in difficult operations.
Nigeria has continued to face serious security challenges in several parts of the country, including terrorism in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, kidnapping in parts of the North-Central and South, as well as other criminal activities threatening public safety.
Over the years, lawmakers have regularly invited military and security officials for briefings, investigations and oversight sessions aimed at improving accountability and strengthening national security efforts.
According to the statement, Akpabio believes that a public investigation of the Armed Forces at this critical period could create unnecessary distractions for troops operating on multiple fronts.
The Senate President was quoted as saying that the focus should remain on supporting security personnel who continue to risk their lives in defence of the country.
“Senator Akpabio’s position is that this is not the opportune moment for a public probe of the Armed Forces. 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 explained.
The statement added that Akpabio favours engagement and cooperation with security agencies through consultations and closed-door meetings rather than highly publicized hearings.
According to his office, such an approach would enable lawmakers to obtain necessary information from military authorities while avoiding actions that could affect ongoing operations.
The Senate President’s office maintained that supporting national security efforts and ensuring accountability are not mutually exclusive goals and that both can be achieved through appropriate channels.
The National Assembly has, over the years, played a major role in approving defence budgets, reviewing security policies and engaging military commanders on security challenges facing the country.
The clarification from Akpabio’s office therefore appears aimed at distinguishing between opposition to oversight and concerns about the timing and format of such oversight activities.
As public reactions continued to trail the reports, Eyiboh urged journalists and media organisations to verify information before publication, particularly when reporting comments attributed to senior public officials.
He warned against sensational reporting and urged media practitioners to seek clarification directly from the Senate President’s office whenever there are doubts regarding statements credited to him.
The aide said inaccurate reports have the potential to create misunderstanding among party members, lawmakers and members of the public.
He reiterated that Akpabio remains committed to democratic principles, party discipline, constitutional governance and national security.
According to the statement, the Senate President will continue to support efforts aimed at strengthening the APC, promoting stability within the National Assembly and contributing to solutions to the country’s security challenges.
With political activities gathering momentum and security issues remaining at the forefront of national discourse, the Senate President’s office expressed hope that accurate information and responsible reporting would help reduce unnecessary controversies and ensure that public discussions remain focused on facts rather than speculation.
The statement concluded by urging Nigerians to disregard what it described as misleading reports concerning both the APC primaries and the Senate President’s position on military oversight, insisting that his comments had been wrongly interpreted in some sections of the media.