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

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

Those expressing concern are mainly members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who fear that Akpabio could use his influence within the party to secure tickets for some of the defeated lawmakers.

Akpabio, while delivering a welcome address following the Senate’s resumption from a three-week recess, told lawmakers who failed to secure their parties’ tickets that the leadership of the National Assembly was still working to address the situation.

While congratulating senators who emerged successful across party lines, the Senate President lamented the scale of defeats recorded during the primaries.

He 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.”

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

Sources told Daily Trust that Akpabio and other principal officers of the Senate also met with President Bola Ahmed 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, when the primaries were eventually conducted, only Senate President Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North-West) and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) secured automatic tickets. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (Kano North), the three senators from Borno State and senators from Lagos State secured their return tickets through consensus arrangements.

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

Among those who lost are Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), Jibrin Isah (Kogi East), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), Ned Nwoko (Delta North), Abbas Aminu Iya (Adamawa Central), Kaila Samaila Dahuwa (Bauchi North), Titus Zam (Benue North-West), Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East), William Eteng Jonah (Cross River Central), Neda Imasuen (Edo South), Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), Francis Ezenwa (Imo East), Musa Garba (Kebbi South), Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central), Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo North), Olubiyi Fadeyi Oluwole (Osun Central), Diket Plang (Plateau Central) and Ipalibo Harry Banigo (Rivers West).

Several senators also lost after contesting governorship primaries in their states. They include Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central), Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), Shehu Buba (Bauchi South) and Onawo Mohammed Ogoshi (Nasarawa South), among others.

Winners raise concerns over delay in certificates

Meanwhile, some winners of the APC primaries have expressed concern over the delay in the issuance of Certificates of Return, alleging that it may be part of efforts to alter the final list of candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

Some victorious aspirants told Daily Trust that the delay had heightened anxiety, especially following comments suggesting that the party’s national leadership retained the final authority to determine candidates.

An aspirant from Kwara State, who requested anonymity, said those who defeated incumbent lawmakers had become increasingly suspicious.

“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,” she said.

Another successful aspirant from Gombe State said the Senate President’s comments remained open to different interpretations.

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

Party officials, however, insist that the delay is in line with established procedures.

Speaking through his media aide, Abimbola Tooki, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said primary election guidelines provided for the collation of results and resolution of appeals before the formal declaration of winners.

“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 retained the constitutional right to seek redress through the party’s appeal mechanism.

However, some aspirants argued that the delay has fuelled fears that the outcome of the primaries could still be altered administratively.

They also pointed out that while many of them were yet to receive their certificates, President Bola Tinubu has already been presented with his Certificate of Return by the party following his victory at the APC presidential primary. They argued that the prompt issuance of the President’s certificate contrasts sharply with the treatment being meted out to other victorious aspirants across the country.

“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 stated.

Meanwhile, public affairs analyst Dr. Seun Ajayi cautioned against overturning the outcome of the primaries. He warned that the party must respect the choice of its members, who selected their candidates through direct primaries. He said anything short of that would negate the principles of internal democracy and cause discord among the aspirants.

“What the President can do is ensure that those who lost out, especially the serving senators, are given alternative national assignments if he still needs their services, instead of overturning the choice of the people,” he said. (Daily Trust)