Akpabio Reassures Defeated Senators in Primaries, Boosting Their Hope

***Says in this Senate, the matter will be revisited, we are promised that we will have very few disappointments

*** Says Senate Leader, the leadership of the Senate is working very hard towards that

*** Condemns Oyo abductions, says it’s not merely an attack on innocent citizens, but an assault on our collective humanity

*** Warns that Politicians and aspirants must resist that temptation for such cheap publicity

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA – Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, said that Senators who lost their bids for re‑election at the recent party primaries are being reassured that “there will be very few disappointments” in the coming months.

The comments were made during a plenary session that resumed after a three‑week recess for the primaries ahead of the 2027 general election. Akpabio congratulated those who won and expressed regret that the defeats were not as severe as expected.

In his opening remarks, Akpabio noted that the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele of Ekiti Central, and the Senate leadership were working hard to turn the promise of limited disappointment into reality.

During the primaries, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and other parties held internal elections. Some incumbent Senators secured their party tickets for the 11th Senate, while others did not.

Akpabio said, “I congratulate the parties that have completed their primaries and internal democratic processes. I especially commend 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.”

He added, “In this Senate, we are promised that we will have very few disappointments. I know that the Senate Leader and the Senate leadership are working very hard towards that. So in advance, I will say congratulations to all of us across party lines.”

To further calm nerves, Akpabio led a two‑hour closed‑door session with Senators. Prior to the primaries, the Senate had held a series of closed‑door meetings in which leaders assured Senators of automatic or return tickets by consensus.

At the start of the primaries, only the President of the Senate, Godwill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North West), and the Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), received automatic tickets. The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin (Kano North), and three Senators from Borno and Lagos States – Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) – received return tickets through consensus arrangements.

Of the 105 incumbent Senators, 60 secured return tickets while 40 failed to do so. Among those who lost are Deputy Leader of the Senate, Lola Ashiru (Kwara South); Jibrin Isah (Kogi East); Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East); Abbas Aminu Iya (Adamawa Central); Kaila Samaila Dahuwa (Bauchi North); Titus Tartenger 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 Banigo Ipalibo Harry (Rivers West).

Some of the defeated Senators had previously contested for governorships in their states, including Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central), Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), Shehu Buba (Bauchi South), Onawu Mohammed Ogoshi (Nasarawa South), and Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central).

Yesterday, the Senate condemned the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Akpabio described the incident as a national tragedy and warned politicians against exploiting such events for political gain.

He said, “There is always a temptation to divide, to accuse, and to seek advantage from tragedy. Politicians must resist the temptation of cheap publicity.” He added, “Those who kidnap our children, terrorise our communities, and murder innocent citizens do not distinguish between party, faith, or ethnic group. The assault is directed against Nigeria itself. Therefore, our response must be equal to the challenge.”

Akpabio noted that the Senate was resuming its work under the shadow of this tragedy, stating, “The abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State is not merely an attack on innocent citizens; it is an assault on our collective humanity.” He added, “We mourn because if we cannot protect our children, we are imperilling our future. A nation that cannot guarantee the safety of its teachers weakens the very foundation upon which education rests.”

He paid tribute to educator Michael Oyedokun, educator Adesha Adeboe, and a child who died during the incident, saying, “We share the pain of the families. Their collective loss is our loss, their sorrow is our sorrow, their pain is our pain.”

Akpabio expressed confidence in the efforts of security agencies to rescue those still in captivity, urging patience. He said, “Through the determined efforts of this government and our security agencies, we remain hopeful that those in captivity will be rescued safely and reunited with their loved ones.” He cautioned that “if you move in to wipe out the terrorists, you may end up wiping out the children. So it might take a while to distinguish the chaff from the grain.”

He called on Nigerians and lawmakers to support all lawful measures to strengthen national security, protect schools and communities, and ensure that every bandit faces the full weight of the law. He also directed the Senate leadership to expedite plans for a national security summit, urging the Leader of the Senate to set a date promptly so that the chamber can present its own resolutions to strengthen security services.

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