The Office of the President of the Senate has strongly refuted recent media reports alleging that Senate President Godswill Akpabio pledged to secure senatorial tickets for lawmakers who were unsuccessful in the recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries. In an official statement released on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the office categorically labelled these reports as misleading and factually inaccurate. It was explicitly stated that Senator Akpabio neither personally made nor authorised any individual to extend such assurances on his behalf, asserting a clear boundary to his commitments.

The statement clarified that during a recent interaction with senators affected by the outcomes of the party primaries, Senator Akpabio's communication was limited to expressing sympathy for their losses. He also provided reassurance that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress was actively engaged in addressing the various issues and concerns that arose from the primary exercise. Furthermore, he informed the lawmakers that the party was in the process of compiling and would subsequently release its definitive list of candidates, strictly adhering to the provisions of its constitution and established electoral guidelines. The Office of the Senate President emphatically reaffirmed Akpabio's unwavering commitment to the principles of party discipline, adherence to due process, and the utilisation of the APC's internal conflict-resolution mechanisms. The statement stressed that Senator Akpabio is steadfast in his resolve not to interfere with the autonomous operational processes of the party or to make any commitments that fall outside the defined scope and authority of the National Assembly leadership.

Beyond the issue of senatorial tickets, the Senate President's office also addressed separate reports that linked him to advocating for a public investigation into the military concerning recent security challenges plaguing the nation. While acknowledging that legislative oversight is an inherent constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly, the statement clarified that Senator Akpabio currently does not endorse a public inquiry into the Armed Forces. The rationale provided for this stance was that such a public investigation, particularly at a critical juncture when military personnel are actively deployed on multiple fronts combating terrorism, banditry, and other significant national security threats, could potentially undermine troop morale and divert their crucial operational focus.

Instead, the Senate President proposed an alternative, more effective approach: discreet, collaborative engagements with the various security agencies. He believes this method would be more conducive to addressing pressing security concerns without compromising ongoing operations or the psychological well-being of the troops. Concluding the statement, Senator Akpabio issued a cautionary appeal to media organizations, urging them to diligently verify information emanating from his office prior to publication. This plea was made to counteract the spread of what he described as sensational and inaccurate reports, underscoring the importance of responsible journalism in maintaining public trust and national stability.