President of the Senate, Senator , has dismissed reports claiming that he promised to secure senatorial tickets for lawmakers who lost during the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President described the reports as misleading and inaccurate.
The statement clarified that Senator Akpabio neither made nor authorized any promise to secure tickets for senators affected by the outcome of the party primaries.
According to the statement, the Senate President merely expressed sympathy for senators who were negatively affected by the primary election results and assured them that the leadership of the APC was working to address issues arising from the exercise.
“Senator Akpabio remains committed to party discipline, due process, and the internal mechanisms of the APC for resolving disputes. He will not interfere with the autonomous processes of the party or make commitments that are outside the purview of the National Assembly leadership,” the statement read.
The Senate President’s office also addressed reports suggesting he supported calls for a Senate probe of the military over recent security incidents.
While acknowledging that legislative oversight is a constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly, Akpabio maintained that this was not the appropriate time for a public investigation of the Armed Forces.
According to the statement, the Senate President believes that public scrutiny of the military at a time when troops are engaged in multiple operations against terrorism, banditry, and other security threats could affect their morale and operational focus.Instead, he advocated support, collaboration, and closed-door engagements with security agencies as more effective approaches to addressing security concerns.
The statement added that oversight responsibilities would continue to be exercised responsibly without creating distractions that could undermine ongoing efforts to secure the country.
Akpabio further urged the media and the public to disregard what he described as sensational and inaccurate interpretations of his remarks and advised journalists to seek clarification from his office before publication.
