Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has dismissed reports claiming he promised All Progressives Congress (APC) senators who lost out in the party primaries automatic return tickets for the next general election.
He clarified that his remarks had been misinterpreted, stressing that he never made any commitment to secure nominations for any affected senator. According to him, his comments were merely expressions of sympathy over the outcome of the primaries
the Senate President did not authorise or guarantee any form of ticket allocation to losing aspirants.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Eseme Sunday Eyiboh, the Senate President’s office described the reports as misleading and inaccurate, insisting that Akpabio’s words were taken out of context.
The statement explained that during informal interactions with colleagues, Akpabio only expressed concern for senators who were unsuccessful in the party’s primary elections, without offering any promises of political favour.
It further noted that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress is already addressing post-primary issues in line with its internal procedures, and that the party will release its final list of candidates according to established guidelines and constitutional provisions.
Reaffirming his stance, Akpabio stressed his respect for party discipline and internal democracy, adding that he would not interfere in the nomination process or influence decisions outside his constitutional role.
The statement partly read: “The attention of the Office of the President of the Senate has been drawn to misleading reports circulating in sections of the media suggesting that the President of the Senate has promised to secure senatorial tickets for senators who lost their party primaries.
“For the record, Senator Akpabio has neither made nor authorised such a promise. What he did was express empathy for colleagues affected by the outcome of the primaries.
“He also noted that the leadership of the APC is working to resolve issues arising from the primaries, and that the final list of candidates will be released in due course in line with party rules.
“Senator Akpabio remains committed to party discipline and due process within the APC and will not interfere in its internal nomination processes.”
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