The Office of the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has dismissed reports suggesting that he promised to secure senatorial tickets for lawmakers who lost in the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued by Akpabio’s media adviser, Eseme Eyiboh, who described the reports circulating in sections of the media as false and misleading.
According to the statement, the Senate President neither made nor authorized any promise guaranteeing automatic senatorial tickets for lawmakers who were unsuccessful during the party’s primaries.
Eyiboh explained that what Akpabio told his colleagues was that the leadership of the APC was actively working to address concerns arising from the primary elections and that the party would, in due course, release its final list of candidates in accordance with established rules and procedures.
“The reports are false as Akpabio did not make or authorize any such promise,” the statement said.
The Senate President, according to the statement, remains committed to party discipline and respects the APC’s internal mechanisms for resolving disputes and determining candidates for elective offices.
“The leadership of the All Progressives Congress is working to resolve issues from the primaries and the final list of candidates will be released in line with party rules,” the statement added.
The clarification also addressed reports suggesting that the Senate was considering a probe of the military following recent security challenges across parts of the country.
While reaffirming that legislative oversight remains a constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly, the statement noted that Akpabio believes the nation’s security situation requires careful handling to avoid actions that could undermine ongoing military operations.
According to the statement, the Senate President is of the view that public hearings on military operations at this time could negatively affect troop morale as security forces continue to confront terrorism, banditry and other threats.
It explained that Akpabio favours constructive engagement with security agencies through closed-door consultations rather than open investigations that could expose sensitive operational details.
The statement further urged journalists and media organisations to seek clarification from appropriate sources before publishing reports capable of creating confusion or misrepresenting the position of public officials.
The latest clarification comes amid heightened political activities within the APC following the conclusion of party primaries and ongoing discussions over candidate lists ahead of the next electoral cycle.
