President Bola Tinubu has reportedly rejected lobbying efforts by leaders of the National Assembly seeking automatic return tickets for sitting lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting instead that state governors should control the party’s primary processes.
According to political sources, Tinubu made the position clear during a closed door meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he met with the leadership of the Senate led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The President reportedly told lawmakers that governors remain the political leaders of the party in their respective states and must have decisive influence over candidate selection.
The meeting, which was not on the official schedule, was described as tense but strategic, as senators reportedly pushed for assurances of automatic tickets to guarantee their return in 2027. However, Tinubu maintained that the ruling party’s constitution does not support automatic nominations and that primaries must follow due process.
Less than a day after the Senate meeting, Tinubu also met with governors elected under the APC platform, including figures such as Babagana Zulum, Hope Uzodimma, and Biodun Oyebanji among others. During that engagement, governors were formally empowered to oversee party primaries in line with the Electoral Act.
Governor Mohammed Bago confirmed that the President had effectively delegated authority over the selection process, stating that primaries would be conducted either through consensus or direct voting as provided by law.
The decision has reportedly created uncertainty among federal lawmakers, especially senators whose relationships with their state governors are already strained. Some political observers believe the move could significantly reshape the party’s internal structure ahead of 2027, potentially increasing competition for tickets.
The APC leadership, through its national chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, has also reiterated that the party constitution does not provide for automatic tickets and that all aspirants must go through primaries.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, with party primaries scheduled between April and May 2026.
Analysts say the President’s stance may trigger intense political battles within the APC as governors consolidate control over their states’ political machinery while lawmakers prepare for competitive primaries.
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