Political Shake-Up: Akpabio Reveals Plan For Senators Denied Return Tickets

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has congratulated senators who secured victory across various political parties in the recently concluded primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

He also hinted that lawmakers who failed to secure return tickets to the upper chamber may still find possible political relief in the unfolding process.

Akpabio noted that both victory and defeat are part of democratic competition, stressing that the leadership of the Senate is working to minimize the number of disappointed lawmakers at the end of the process.

He made the remarks on Tuesday during plenary as the Senate resumed after a three-week recess to allow senators participate in party primaries.

In his opening address, he said: “I would say I congratulate the political parties, one or two of which emanated from these chambers. They recently concluded their primaries and all the internal democratic processes. I felicitate particularly with 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.

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

Following his remarks, the Senate President led lawmakers into a closed-door session that lasted about two hours.

It was reported that not fewer than 40 serving senators lost their party tickets in the primaries, while about 60 others secured return tickets ahead of the 2027 elections.

Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), and several others secured automatic or consensus tickets, including the Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (Kano North), senators from Borno and Lagos States, and Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North).

Meanwhile, several senators failed in their bids to return, including Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), Jibrin Isah (Kogi East), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), Abbas Aminu Iya (Adamawa Central), Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue North West), Emmanuel Udende (Benue North East), William Eteng Jonah (Cross River Central), Neda Imasuen (Edo South), and Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), among others.