President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has firmly denied reports claiming that he promised automatic tickets or political compensation to senators of the All Progressives Congress who failed to secure their party’s nomination during recent primary elections, describing the allegations as false, misleading and a deliberate attempt to create unnecessary controversy within the ruling party.
The clarification followed widespread speculation that the Senate President had allegedly assured some APC lawmakers who lost their primaries that arrangements would be made to guarantee their return to elective offices despite their defeats at the party level. The reports generated intense reactions within political circles, with some observers questioning whether such assurances could undermine the credibility of the party’s internal democratic processes.
Responding to the claims, Akpabio dismissed the reports in their entirety, insisting that he never made any promise of automatic tickets, special consideration or political guarantees to any senator who was unsuccessful during the APC primary elections. He maintained that the reports were a misrepresentation of his remarks and should not be taken as a reflection of his position...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The Senate President emphasized that the APC remains a party governed by established rules, procedures and democratic principles, stressing that candidates emerge through recognized electoral processes rather than through personal assurances from party leaders. According to him, every aspirant who participates in party primaries understands the competitive nature of the process and must accept the outcome once a winner emerges.
Akpabio noted that while it is natural for politicians to feel disappointed after losing primary contests, the focus should remain on preserving party unity and strengthening the APC ahead of future political engagements. He stated that his interactions with colleagues who were unsuccessful in the primaries were aimed at encouraging them to remain committed to the party rather than abandon its collective goals.
The Senate President further explained that his comments had been misconstrued and taken out of context by those seeking to sow division within the party. He reiterated that there was no arrangement, formal or informal, to hand out tickets or bypass the democratic process in favour of any individual, regardless of status or political influence.
His reaction comes at a time when the APC is working to manage post-primary tensions in several states, where some aspirants and their supporters have expressed dissatisfaction with the outcomes of party contests. Political analysts have observed that maintaining cohesion among party members after competitive primaries remains one of the key challenges facing major political parties ahead of future elections.
Akpabio urged party members to remain focused on the broader objectives of the APC and to avoid actions or statements capable of creating disunity. He stressed that the strength of the ruling party lies in its ability to resolve disagreements internally and move forward as a united political family.
The Senate President also called on the public to disregard reports suggesting that he had offered guarantees to defeated senators, insisting that such narratives were inaccurate and unsupported by facts. He reaffirmed his commitment to fairness, due process and the principles of democratic participation, adding that every party member deserves equal opportunity within the political system.
Observers believe the clarification is intended to calm growing speculation and reassure party members that the outcomes of APC primaries will continue to be respected. With political activities gradually intensifying across the country, party leaders are expected to focus on reconciliation efforts aimed at ensuring that grievances arising from internal contests do not weaken the APC’s overall political strength.
As discussions continue within political circles, Akpabio’s statement has added a new dimension to the debate surrounding party primaries and internal democracy. While differing interpretations of political remarks often fuel controversy, the Senate President has made it clear that he did not promise tickets to any defeated senator and remains committed to the party’s established procedures for selecting candidates.
