Concerns are mounting among victorious aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following comments by Senate President Godswill Akpabio suggesting that efforts are underway to address the fate of serving senators who lost in the party’s recently concluded primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The remarks have unsettled many aspirants who secured party tickets through the primaries, amid fears that the outcomes could be altered in favour of incumbent lawmakers who maintain close ties with the Senate leadership.
Most of those expressing concern are APC members who worry that Akpabio could leverage his influence within the ruling party to secure alternative routes for some defeated senators.
Speaking during the Senate’s resumption from a three-week recess, Akpabio congratulated lawmakers who successfully emerged from their parties’ primary elections but acknowledged the disappointment suffered by many of their colleagues.
“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,” he said.
“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 the remarks, Akpabio led senators into a closed-door executive session that reportedly lasted more than two hours.
Sources told NEWS XPOSURE that Akpabio and other principal officers of the Senate later met with President Bola Tinubu, with discussions believed to have focused on possible options for senators who failed to secure return tickets during the primaries.
Dozens of Senators Lose Return Tickets
Before the Senate embarked on its recess, members of the leadership were reportedly assured of automatic return tickets or consensus arrangements in several states.
However, when the primaries were concluded, 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), senators from Borno State and lawmakers from Lagos State retained their tickets through consensus arrangements.
Results released by the APC indicate that 60 of the 105 serving senators secured return tickets, while approximately 40 lawmakers lost their bids for re-election.
Among those who failed to clinch tickets 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 who contested governorship primaries also lost out, including Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central), Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), Shehu Buba (Bauchi South) and Onawo Mohammed Ogoshi (Nasarawa South).
APC Candidates Raise Alarm Over Delay in Certificates
Meanwhile, some APC primary winners have expressed unease over the delay in the issuance of Certificates of Return, alleging that the development may be linked to efforts to review or alter the final list of candidates.
Several victorious aspirants told NEWS XPOSURE that uncertainty surrounding the certificates has heightened concerns, especially after suggestions that the party’s national leadership retains the final authority to determine candidates.
One aspirant from Kwara State, who requested anonymity, said those who defeated incumbent lawmakers have become increasingly apprehensive.
“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,” the aspirant said.
“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.”
A successful aspirant from Gombe State said Akpabio’s comments were open to different interpretations and required clarification.
“The statement is not clear, so we cannot comment on it yet. We are trying to seek clarification before reacting,” he said.
APC Explains Delay
Responding to the concerns, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, through his media aide Abimbola Tooki, maintained that the delay was in line with established procedures governing the party’s primaries.
According to Tooki, the party’s guidelines provide for the collation of results and the resolution of appeals before winners are formally declared and issued certificates.
“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,” he said.
He added that aggrieved aspirants remain free to pursue redress through the party’s internal appeal mechanism.
Despite the explanation, some candidates insist that the delay has fuelled speculation that administrative changes could still be made to the outcomes of the primaries.
They pointed to the fact that President Bola Tinubu has already received his Certificate of Return following his victory at the APC presidential primary, arguing that other successful candidates should be accorded the same treatment.
“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 aspirant stated.
Analyst Warns Against Tampering With Primary Results
Public affairs analyst Dr. Seun Ajayi has cautioned the APC against overturning the outcome of the primaries, warning that such a move could undermine internal democracy and trigger unrest within the party.
According to him, the wishes of party members who participated in the direct primaries must be respected.
“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,” Ajayi said.
He warned that any attempt to alter the will of party members could deepen divisions and create avoidable disputes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
