By George Mgbeleke

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio on Tursday pacified Senators who failed to secure their political parties ‘ tickets in the recently concluded primary elections across the country, raising the hope of helping some of them to secure their parties’ tickets and return to the senate.

Akpabio gave the hint while welcoming senators back from their three week holiday to enable them participate in their respective party primaries.

While the President of the Senate and a few others in the leadership won their tickets unopposed; there has been a few upsets; leaving at least 40 senators unable to secure their tickets.

In all, only 60 serving senators were successful at the primaries conducted across party lines.

Akpabio congratulates the winners and their political parties even as he admonished those who failed to secure their tickets to take solace in the overall victory that democracy stands for in Nigeria.

“I know that there will always be victories and disappointments, yet above every individual triumph stands a greater triumph, the triumph of democracy itself”.

To further pacify the 40 who lost their tickets; Akpabio told senators that the Senate leadership was assured that there will not be as much casualties in the primaries as it has now been recorded.

He told them that the Senate Leader, OPEYEMI BAMIDELE is working to reduce the level of casualties and ensure that some of them secure their parties’ tickets.

“As we return to our constitutional responsibilities, I pray that Almighty God grants us wisdom and good health for the task ahead. For we are not merely representatives of constituencies, but custodians of the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians who look to this Senate for the realization of a greater nation.

“I congratulate political parties that recently concluded their primaries and internal democratic processes. I felicitate those who have secured the mandate of their parties to seek elective office. I know that there will always be victories and disappointments. Yet above every individual triumph stands the greater triumph—the triumph of democracy itself,” he said.

Friends and colleagues, We resume our work under the mournful shadow of a tragedy that has shaken our nation. The abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State is not merely an attack on innocent citizens; it is an assault on our collective humanity.

Continuing he said, “We mourn because if we cannot protect our children we imperil our future. We mourn because a nation that cannot guarantee the safety of its teachers weakens the very foundations upon which education rests. And we mourn because, for as long as those children remain in captivity, our nation remains captive with them.

“Today, we grieve the loss of two dedicated educators: Mr. Michael Oyedokun, who died in captivity, and Mr. Adesiyan Adegboye, who lost his life during the attack. We also mourn the child whose life was cut short before its promise could be fulfilled. We share the pain of the bereaved families.

“Their loss is our loss. Their sorrow is our sorrow. Their pain is our pain. Yet even in the midst of grief, we remain hopeful that, through the determined efforts of the government and our security agencies, those still in captivity will be safely rescued and reunited with their loved ones.

“On behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the affected school community, and the Government and people of Oyo State.

“May I now respectfully request that we rise and observe one minute of silence in honour of the departed.
ONE MINUTE SILENCE (May Almighty God grant them eternal rest and comfort all who mourn.)

“Distinguished Colleagues, At moments such as these, there is a temptation to divide, to accuse, and to seek advantage from tragedy. Politicians and aspirants must resist that temptation for such cheap publicity. Those who kidnap our children, terrorize our communities, and murder innocent citizens do not distinguish between party, faith, or ethnicity. Their assault is directed against Nigeria itself. Therefore, our response must be equal to the challenge. We must stand united, firm, and resolute.

“Let us continue to support every lawful and necessary measure to strengthen security, protect our schools, safeguard our communities, and ensure that every bandit faces the full weight of justice.

“The challenge before us is real. But so too is the courage of our people, the resilience of our institutions, and the enduring promise of Nigeria. Let us therefore approach the days ahead with collective resolve. Let us differ honestly, but remain united in our devotion to Nigeria.

“Let us continue to conduct ourselves with dignity so that future generations will say that when Nigeria faced difficulty, this Senate did not falter; when leadership was required, this Senate did not shrink; and when duty called, this Senate answered.”

By Our Correspondent

Ahead of 2027 election,non-partisan socio-political group, the Igbo Agenda Dialogue, (IAD), led by Chief Chekwas Okorie, has sent a strong solidarity message to all presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general election, urging them to choose issue-based campaigns and warning against electoral manipulation.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed jointly by Chief Okorie as Convener/National Chairman and Jonathan Elendu as Executive Secretary, the group congratulated candidates of all political parties and noted ŵith delight that most candidates in their acceptance speeches identified key areas requiring urgent attention to develop, secure, and unite Nigerians despite ethnic, religious, and sectional diversities.

The IAD described the 2027 general elections as promising to witness robust and vibrant electioneering campaigns.
The group said the presidential contest will expectedly become an epic encounter that will test Nigeria’s democratic maturity.

The organisation urged politicians and their supporters to remain focused on issues, rather than engaging in attacks on opponents and cautioned that the contestants should avoid acerbic and inflammatory rhetoric that could inflame tensions across the country.

The group also addressed the Independent National Electoral Commission, saying INEC has the onerous task of delivering credible, transparent, free and fair elections.
It reminded INEC that Nigerians and the international community expect nothing less than credible elections and that the world is watching the process closely.

IAD also called on security agencies not to allow themselves to be compromised.
It noted that Nigeria currently has several flashpoints and citizens are restive due to many existential challenges, making the neutrality and professionalism of security agencies critical.

The group warned that politicians, INEC, and security agencies must not exacerbate an “already incendiary and potentially explosive polity through their actions and utterances.”

It stressed that restraint from all actors is necessary at this time and added that it had already embarked on nationwide advocacy to encourage eligible citizens to register during INEC’s ongoing last phase of continuous voters registration.

The organisation urged Nigerians to come out en-masse in January and February 2027 to vote for candidates and parties of their choice.

The group called on similar organisations to join the patriotic effort to mobilise voters and strengthen democratic participation ahead of the polls, emphasising that mass participation remains key to credible outcomes.
Finally, the IAD cautioned that any attempt to manipulate the electoral process or shortchange the electorate during and after the elections could result in uncontrollable anarchy and it warned that such actions may threaten the very foundation of the country.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission has the onerous tasks to deliver to Nigerians credible, transparent, free, and fair elections. Nigerians expect nothing less. The world is watching.

“Security agencies must not allow themselves to be compromised. Nigeria currently has several flash points, and the citizens are restive at this time as a result of many existential challenges. “Politicians, the INEC, and security agencies must not exacerbate an already incendiary and potentially explosive polity by their actions and utterances,” the IAD, which is a non-partisan socio-political and prodemocracy organisation warned.

By Magnus Chukwudi, Port Harcourt

The Rivers State chapter of African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Rivers State, Dr. Chukwudi Dimkpa, has declared as false and misleading, the claims made by one of the lost governorship aspirants, Allen Idaso Ezekiel-Hart, that the conduct of the party’s governorship primary of 24th May, 2026, was manipulated to suit preferred candidates.

Ezekiel-Hart was quoted to have said, that he would pursue all grievances within the party’s constitution and warned his fellow contestant in the primary, Dr Farah Dagogo against use of the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s name, to bolster his claim of victory at the primary election.

“We will exhaust all legal channels within the party, I will not rock the boat unnecessarily, but the party must recognize that, I won the primaries,” he insisted.

Straigthening the record yesterday, the State Chairman of the party, Dr Cukwudi Dimkpa, stated that the party leadership, remained fully committed throughout the exercise, to transparency, fairness, and strict compliance with the constitution and electoral guidelines of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The ADC Chairman vouched that all aspirants were duly informed of the procedures that led to the primary, even as everybody was given equal opportunity to participate in the process.

According to him, “the emergence of Dr. Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson as the party’s candidate, was a reflection of the collective decision and overwhelming support of delegates and stakeholders acgross the 23 Local Government Areas LGA of Rivers State.

He further refuted insinuations that the process was manipulated, or influenced by any external interest, stressing that Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi did not at any time, interfere with the primary election, or impose any aspirant on the party.

Chief Dimkpa maintained that the party sustained open communication with aspirants and their representatives, throughout the exercise and, urged members of the public to disregard statements capable of creating unnecessary tension or division within the party.

“We’re united and focused, our priority now is to consolidate on the success of the primary process and continue working towards providing credible leadership and a better future for the people of Rivers State,” he stated.

Recall that Dr. Gabriel Pidomson, former Secretary to the Rivers state government, was elected as the Governorship candidate of the party for the 2027 election in the state. he defeated Dr Farah Dagogo, Dr. Sokonte Davies and Ezekiel-Hart, in the highly contested primaries. ###.