Akpabio Denies Promising Senatorial Tickets to APC Senators Who Lost Primaries

The Office of the President of the Senate has dismissed reports claiming that Senate President, , promised to secure senatorial tickets for lawmakers who lost in the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President’s office described the reports as misleading and inaccurate.

According to the statement, Akpabio neither made nor authorized any promise to guarantee senatorial tickets for affected senators. Rather, he only expressed sympathy for colleagues who were negatively impacted by the outcome of the party primaries.

The statement explained that Akpabio assured the senators that the leadership of the was actively addressing issues arising from the primaries and that the final list of candidates would be released in accordance with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.

The Senate President reaffirmed his commitment to party discipline, due process, and the APC’s internal dispute-resolution mechanisms, stressing that he would not interfere in the party’s autonomous processes or make commitments beyond the authority of the National Assembly leadership.

The statement also addressed reports suggesting that Akpabio opposed calls for a Senate probe into the military over recent security incidents.

While acknowledging that legislative oversight is a constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly, the Senate President maintained that a public investigation of the Armed Forces at this time could negatively affect troop morale and operational effectiveness, especially as security forces continue to confront terrorism, banditry, and other threats across the country.

Akpabio argued that collaboration, support, and closed-door engagements with security agencies would be more productive under the current circumstances, adding that oversight responsibilities should be exercised in a manner that does not distract security personnel or embolden criminal elements.

The Senate President’s office urged the media and members of the public to disregard what it described as sensational and inaccurate interpretations of his remarks and advised journalists to seek clarification from his office before publishing reports.