There is growing unease within the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the proposal for automatic tickets for the party’s National Assembly members in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
Sources indicate that several APC governors are opposed to the automatic ticket plan and are reportedly strategizing to thwart the initiative. Notably, governors from the South East and South West are at the forefront of efforts to block automatic tickets for National Assembly members in their states.
These governors are expected to discuss their concerns with APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje in Abuja shortly after the Sallah celebration. While some governors remain indifferent to the proposal, others are cautious about openly opposing it due to the backing it has received from the President.
Senator Hope Uzodimma, the chairman of the APC governors and governor of Imo State, stated that he would adhere to the party’s decision on the matter. His chief press secretary, Hon. Oguwike Nwachuku, emphasized that Uzodimma is a loyal party member committed to following the party’s stance regarding automatic tickets for lawmakers. However, he clarified that this statement reflects Uzodimma’s views, not necessarily those of other APC governors.
Attempts to reach APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.
LEADERSHIP had previously reported on plans from the Villa to offer automatic tickets to APC lawmakers to ensure party stability and minimize potential legal challenges during the primaries. During a gathering of party leaders from the North Central geopolitical zone, where they endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term, Ganduje remarked on the high turnover of legislators and the need for the party to engage with National Assembly leadership to retain effective lawmakers.
Despite this, an anonymous source within the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) revealed that two governors from the South West do not support the move to stop automatic tickets. Following the APC summit, some governors expressed that the President’s decision to grant automatic tickets should not be contested.
The source noted that most governors are resolute in their stance and have threatened a confrontation over the issue. While some governors have aligned with the agenda to oppose automatic tickets, others fear that challenging the President’s decision could be detrimental, as it may have been made for strategic reasons.
Insiders suggest that the push for automatic tickets aims to solidify the President’s control over party structures and prevent inexperienced lawmakers from causing disruptions in the National Assembly. The proposal is also viewed as a way to mitigate potential litigation that could hinder the party’s preparations for the upcoming election cycle.
Additionally, the controversy surrounding automatic tickets is beginning to manifest in Ondo State, where an APC chieftain and former Niger Delta agitator has threatened to support opposition candidates if automatic tickets are granted to National Assembly members in the state. This party member has vowed to fund challengers against the incumbent senator and House of Representatives member from his constituency unless the automatic ticket proposal is abandoned.
