Akpabio Denies Promising Automatic Return Tickets To Rejected Senators
•By Admin
ABUJA — THE Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has dismissed recent reports alleging that he assured Senators who lost bids at the primaries of their political parties, of automatic return tickets when the 11th Senate convenes.
Reacting to the now viral news, the office of the Senate President on Saturday released a statement signed by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, stating that Senator Akpabio neither made nor authorized such a promise to be made.
The statement insisted that the news “report does not reflect the position of the President of the Senate.”
Eyiboh’s remarks are reflected here in part, “What the President of the Senate actually said, in the course of interacting with his colleagues, was to empathize with senators who were affected negatively by the outcome of their primary elections.
“He assured them that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is actively working to address all issues arising from the primaries and that the final list of candidates will be released in due course in line with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.
“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 office also notes another report quoting a distinguished Senator on the need for the Senate to probe the military over recent security incidents.
“While legislative oversight is a constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly, Senator Akpabio’s position is that this is not the opportune moment for a public probe of the Armed Forces.
“At a time when our troops are engaged on multiple fronts against terrorism, banditry and other threats to National Security, subjecting the military to a public legislative inquisition could undermine their morale and operational focus.
“The Senate President believes strongly that support, collaboration and closed-door engagements with security agencies are more productive at this critical time.
“Oversight will be exercised responsibly, without creating distractions that embolden adversaries or divert attention from the urgent task of securing Nigeria and its people.
Senator Akpabio urges the media and the public to disregard sensational and inaccurate misrepresentation of his remarks and to always seek clarification from his office before publication.”
•INDEPENDENTNG.