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The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has denied reports suggesting that he promised to secure senatorial tickets for lawmakers who lost in the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections.
In a statement issued in the early hours of Saturday by his Media Office, Akpabio described the report as inaccurate and a misrepresentation of his comments during interactions with fellow senators.
The statement, signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, stressed that the Senate President neither made nor authorised any promise to guarantee tickets for unsuccessful aspirants.
According to the statement, Akpabio merely expressed sympathy for senators who were adversely affected by the outcome of the party primaries and reassured them that the APC leadership was working to address concerns arising from the exercise.
The Senate President was quoted as saying that the party's internal mechanisms were already being deployed to resolve outstanding issues, while the final list of candidates would be released in accordance with the APC constitution and relevant electoral guidelines.
The statement emphasised that Akpabio remains committed to party discipline, due process and the established procedures for resolving disputes within the ruling party.
It further noted that the Senate President would not interfere with the autonomous operations of the APC or make commitments that fall outside the responsibilities of the National Assembly leadership.
The Media Office also addressed reports linking Akpabio to comments on calls for a Senate probe into recent security challenges and military operations across the country.
According to the statement, while legislative oversight remains a constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly, the Senate President believes that a public investigation of the Armed Forces at this time may not be in the nation's best interest.
It argued that Nigerian troops are currently engaged in critical operations against terrorism, banditry and other threats to national security, and that a public legislative inquiry could negatively affect their morale and operational effectiveness.
Akpabio maintained that constructive engagement, collaboration and closed-door consultations with security agencies would yield better results under the prevailing circumstances.
The statement added that the Senate would continue to exercise its oversight responsibilities in a responsible manner without creating distractions capable of undermining ongoing security operations.
The Senate President also urged media organisations and members of the public to disregard what he described as sensational and inaccurate interpretations of his remarks.
He advised journalists and stakeholders to seek clarification from his office whenever necessary to avoid the publication of misleading reports.
The clarification comes amid growing political discussions surrounding the outcome of recent APC primaries and debates over the National Assembly's role in addressing the country's security challenges.
