President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has pacified senators who failed to secure their parties’ tickets in the recently concluded primary elections across the country.
Speaking while welcoming lawmakers back from a three-week recess granted to enable them participate in their respective party primaries, Akpabio revealed that Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, is engaging relevant stakeholders to explore possible options for some of the affected senators.
According to the Senate President, the leadership remains concerned about the scale of losses recorded during the primaries and is working to mitigate their impact where possible.
The Senate President disclosed that before the primaries, Senate leadership had received assurances that only a limited number of senators would lose their return tickets.
While congratulating senators who emerged victorious in the primaries, he reminded lawmakers that democracy produces both winners and losers.
Before the commencement of the primaries, the Senate held a series of closed-door meetings during which many lawmakers were reportedly assured of automatic tickets or return tickets through consensus arrangements.
In the end, however, only about 60 of the 105 serving senators secured tickets to return to the Senate after the 2027 general elections, while about 40 lawmakers failed in their bids.
Among those who secured their tickets without contest were Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, alongside senators from Borno and Lagos states, also benefited from consensus arrangements that guaranteed their return tickets.
Several high-profile senators, however, lost their bids for renomination. They include Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru (Kwara South) Jibrin Isah(Kogi East) Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East).
Ned Nwoko (Delta Central), Abbas Aminu Iya (Adamawa Central), Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), Neda Imasuen (Edo South), Diket Plang (Plateau Central) and Ipalibo Banigo Harry (Rivers West ) among others.
Also affected were a number of senators who sought governorship tickets in their respective states but were unsuccessful, including Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central), Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North) Shehu Buba (Bauchi North), Mohammed Onawo (Nasarawa South ) and Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central)
Despite the setbacks, Akpabio urged lawmakers to remain committed to democratic ideals and continue serving the nation with dedication during the remainder of their tenure.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
