Senate President Godswill Akpabio has moved to reassure lawmakers affected by recent party primary elections, stating that the Senate leadership is working to ensure that serving senators experience as few political setbacks as possible during the ongoing nomination process.
Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday as the Senate resumed plenary after a three-week recess and the Sallah holiday. His comments came amid growing uncertainty among several lawmakers who either lost their party tickets or are facing disputes arising from controversial primary elections.
Welcoming senators back to the chamber, Akpabio congratulated political parties that had concluded their primaries and candidates who secured nominations for the 2027 general elections. However, he acknowledged that the exercise had produced both winners and losers.
According to him, the Senate leadership remains committed to supporting lawmakers through the political transition period.
“I know that there will always be victories and disappointments,” Akpabio told his colleagues. “In this Senate, we are promised that we will have very few disappointments. I know that the Senate Leader and the leadership of the Senate are working very hard towards that.”
The statement immediately drew attention as it appeared to suggest that efforts are ongoing behind the scenes to address the concerns of senators who suffered setbacks during the primaries.
Although the Senate President did not provide details on how such interventions would be achieved, his remarks sparked speculation about possible reconciliations, political negotiations, appointments, substitutions, or other arrangements that could offer opportunities to affected lawmakers before the next election cycle.
The comments came shortly after Akpabio jokingly cautioned a senator against defecting to another political party, reflecting concerns over potential defections following contentious primary contests across the country.
Meanwhile, the Kogi East APC Elites Forum has urged Akpabio and House of Representatives member James Faleke to allow political stakeholders in Kogi State, particularly those in Kogi East Senatorial District, to determine the area’s political future without external interference.
The group warned that attempts to influence or manipulate the outcome of primary elections in the state could negatively affect the fortunes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in future elections.
Speaking through its spokesperson, Dr. Ben Ogwuche, the forum insisted that issues surrounding the APC senatorial ticket should be resolved through transparent and democratic processes. The group also endorsed Joe Erico, describing him as the preferred candidate of many stakeholders in the district.
The forum further appealed to the APC national leadership to uphold fairness, transparency and justice while encouraging party members in Kogi East to remain united and committed to the party.
Inside the Senate chamber, lawmakers who secured their party nominations celebrated openly, exchanging jokes and congratulatory remarks. In contrast, senators who lost their reelection bids were seen discussing their political future with colleagues.
Akpabio congratulated successful candidates and encouraged those who were unsuccessful not to lose hope.
“I congratulate political parties that recently concluded their primaries and internal democratic processes. I felicitate with those who have secured the mandate of their parties to seek elective office,” he said.
However, the mood in the chamber later turned sombre when the Senate President drew attention to the kidnapping of 46 people, including 39 students, seven teachers and a two-year-old child, from a school in Oyo State on May 15.
The incident, which shocked the nation, further highlighted the country’s worsening security challenges. Senators expressed grief over the tragedy, particularly the killing of teacher Michael Oyedokun, who was reportedly beheaded by the kidnappers.
The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of the deceased and extended condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Oyo State Government and the families of the victims.
Akpabio called on Nigerians to unite against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, describing the perpetrators as enemies of the nation.
He also assured Nigerians that the Senate would soon conclude its security summit and forward its recommendations to the executive arm of government for implementation as part of efforts to strengthen national security.
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