BY SOLOMON OKPO
ABUJA , Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed for calm among lawmakers who lost their party nominations in the recently concluded primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the outcome as a necessary feature of democratic competition.
Addressing senators as the upper legislative chamber resumed plenary after a three-week recess, Akpabio acknowledged the disappointment that followed the primaries, revealing that nearly 40 serving senators across various political parties failed to secure tickets for another term in office.
According to him, only about 60 lawmakers successfully obtained nominations to contest in the next elections, a development he admitted was more extensive than many political observers had anticipated.
The Senate President urged affected lawmakers not to be discouraged by the setback, stressing that the strength of democracy lies not in individual victories or losses but in the integrity of the democratic process itself. He noted that political fortunes could change, but democratic institutions must remain strong and respected.
Akpabio, however, disclosed that efforts were already underway to address some of the grievances arising from the primaries. He revealed that Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele is engaging party stakeholders and key political actors in consultations aimed at reducing the fallout and exploring possible avenues for some affected senators to regain their nominations.
The development has further heightened political discussions within the National Assembly and across party lines, as attention shifts to internal party dynamics, consensus arrangements and the broader political realignments expected to shape the 2027 elections.
Political analysts say the outcome of the primaries has exposed growing tensions within party structures and could influence strategic alliances as the race toward 2027 gathers momentum.
