Akpabio’s Move To Help Defeated Lawmakers Unsettle APC Primary Winners

Comments by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, aimed at reassuring serving senators who lost tickets in the recently concluded party primaries, have sparked anxiety among victorious aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The aspirants fear that, despite winning their primaries, the outcome could still be altered in favour of incumbent senators who are colleagues of the Senate President.

Those raising concerns are mostly members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who suspect that Akpabio could use his influence within the party to secure tickets for some defeated lawmakers.

Akpabio had, in his welcome address after the Senate resumed from a three-week recess, told senators who failed to secure their party tickets that the leadership of the National Assembly was still working to address the situation.

He congratulated lawmakers who emerged successful across party lines but lamented the number of defeats recorded during the primaries.

Akpabio said, “I congratulate the political parties, one or two of which emanated from these chambers. They recently concluded their primaries and all internal democratic processes. I felicitate particularly with those who have secured their mandates to represent their parties in the next general election.

“In this Senate, we were promised that we would have very few disappointments. I do know that the Senate Leader and the rest of the leadership are working very hard to address these issues. So, in advance, I say congratulations to all of us across party lines.”

After the remarks, Akpabio led senators into a closed-door executive session that lasted more than two hours.

Akpabio, Senators Meet Tinubu

Sources who spoke with Daily Trust said Akpabio and other principal officers of the Senate also met with President Bola Tinubu.

Although details of the meeting were not made public, insiders said discussions centred on possible options for some serving senators who lost their primaries.

Before the Senate proceeded on recess, the leadership had reportedly assured lawmakers of automatic return tickets or consensus arrangements in many states.

However, only Akpabio, representing Akwa Ibom North-West, and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central, secured automatic tickets.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, the three senators from Borno State and senators from Lagos State secured their return tickets through consensus arrangements.

40 Senators Lose Tickets

Based on results declared by the party, 60 of the 105 serving senators secured return tickets, while about 40 lost their bids.

Among those who lost are Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru, Jibrin Isah, Gbenga Daniel, Ned Nwoko, Abbas Aminu Iya, Kaila Samaila Dahuwa, Titus Zam, Emmanuel Udende, William Eteng Jonah, Neda Imasuen, Danjuma Goje, Francis Ezenwa, Musa Garba, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Olajide Ipinsagba, Olubiyi Fadeyi Oluwole, Diket Plang and Ipalibo Harry Banigo.

Some senators also lost after contesting governorship primaries in their states.

They include Saliu Mustapha, Abdulfatai Buhari, Shehu Buba and Onawo Mohammed Ogoshi.

Some winners of the APC primaries have also expressed concern over the delay in issuing Certificates of Return.

They alleged that the delay may be part of efforts to alter the final list of candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

A successful aspirant from Kwara State, who spoke anonymously, said those who defeated incumbent lawmakers were becoming increasingly suspicious.

She said, “Some of us who defeated incumbent legislators at both the state and national levels are now suspicious of the games being played by the national leadership of the party.

“We were told that the President is wading in to manage any crisis that might arise after the release of the final results. Since then, we have been worried.”

Another successful aspirant from Gombe State said Akpabio’s comments needed clarification.

“The statement is not clear, so we cannot comment on it yet. We are trying to seek clarification before reacting,” he said.

APC Aites Appeal Process

Party officials, however, said the delay followed established procedures.

Speaking through his media aide, Abimbola Tooki, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the party’s primary guidelines provided for proper collation of results and resolution of appeals before winners are formally declared.

“The guidelines issued for the conduct of the primaries were very clear and unambiguous. Results from the various levels were to be collated appropriately, while the formal declaration of winners would only come after the appeal processes have been concluded,” Tooki said.

He added that aggrieved aspirants had the right to seek redress through the party’s appeal mechanism.

Some aspirants, however, argued that the delay had deepened fears that the outcome of the primaries could still be altered administratively.

They also noted that President Tinubu had already received his Certificate of Return after winning the APC presidential primary, while many other victorious aspirants were still waiting.

“The President has already received his Certificate of Return, so why are the others being delayed? The party should not create the impression that some candidates are more valid than others,” one candidate said.