President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has moved to reassure senators who failed to secure their party tickets in the recently concluded primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, suggesting that efforts are ongoing to assist some of them in returning to the Senate.
Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday as the Senate resumed plenary after a three-week break, during which lawmakers participated in party primaries across various political parties.
He acknowledged the disappointment faced by several lawmakers who lost their bids but urged them to view the outcome as part of the democratic process.
The Senate President noted that while some members of the leadership secured their tickets unopposed, a significant number of senators were unsuccessful in their attempts to return.
According to him, the true victory lies not in individual political success but in the continued survival and strengthening of democracy.
“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 said.
Reports indicated that about 40 serving senators failed to obtain their party nominations during the primaries conducted across different political platforms, while roughly 60 lawmakers succeeded.
Akpabio congratulated those who secured tickets and commended political parties for conducting the primaries, while also appealing to unsuccessful lawmakers to remain committed to democratic principles despite their losses.
He further disclosed that the Senate leadership had been informed earlier that the number of lawmakers who would lose their tickets would not be as high as eventually recorded.
To ease tensions, Akpabio said efforts were ongoing to mitigate the political impact of the primaries and explore possible options for affected senators.
He specifically pointed to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, noting that he is engaging stakeholders to reduce losses and help some senators regain party tickets where possible.
