Senate President Godswill Akpabio has expressed optimism for senators who lost their party primaries, indicating that the National Assembly leadership is pushing for return tickets for the affected lawmakers. Speaking during the resumption of the Senate after a four-week recess dedicated to primaries, Akpabio acknowledged the high number of casualties among senators across various political parties.
Akpabio addresses primary outcomes
The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker stated that the Senate leadership was surprised by the significant number of senators who failed to secure their party's tickets. He assured his colleagues that efforts are underway to address some of the primary outcomes across party lines, aiming to strengthen the democratic process.
According to Premium Times, Akpabio welcomed senators back from the recess and congratulated those who had secured their mandates. He said, "I felicitate, particularly those who have secured their mandates to represent their parties in the next election. I know that there will always be victories and disappointments, yet above every individual triumph stands a greater triumph, the triumph of democracy itself."
Senate leadership working on solutions
Akpabio further disclosed that the Senate leader and the leadership of the Senate are working hard to minimize disappointments. He added, "And in this Senate, we have promised that we will have very few disappointments, and I do know that the Senate leader and the leadership of the Senate are working very hard towards that, so in advance, I will say congratulations to all of us across party lines."
Among the prominent senators who lost their return tickets are Ned Nwoko, Gbenga Daniel, Danjuma Goje, Rufai Hanga, Neda Imasuen, and Jubril Isah. The APC Senate primaries held on May 18 produced a mix of triumphs and upsets, with some party heavyweights and grassroots aspirants securing victories while others faced surprising defeats.
Background on primaries
Recall that the APC primary election for senatorial tickets in the 2027 general elections took place on Monday, May 18, and has continued to generate headlines. Several popular and influential sitting senators lost their bids to return to the National Assembly during the primaries. Many of them rejected the outcomes, citing anomalies during the exercise.
The contests highlighted the party's blend of consensus arrangements and direct voting, underscoring both unity and rivalry within its ranks. Daily Trust reports that about 40 senators across the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other parties lost their primaries.
