President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has firmly rejected attempts by Senate leaders to secure automatic return tickets for sitting lawmakers ahead of the 2027 general elections, instead reaffirming that state governors will determine candidates in their respective states.
The decision followed a closed-door meeting between the President and the extended leadership of the Senate at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Lawmakers had reportedly lobbied for guaranteed tickets to avoid internal party contests, arguing it would ensure stability and continuity in the National Assembly.
However, Tinubu made it clear that such an arrangement would not stand, insisting that governors remain the ultimate political authorities within their states.
According to sources familiar with the meeting, “The senators pleaded for automatic tickets, but the President was very clear. He told them that governors must have a say on who gets the party ticket.”
The development has heightened anxiety among many federal lawmakers, particularly those with strained relationships with their state governors, as their chances of securing re-election tickets may now depend heavily on local political dynamics.
Less than 24 hours after meeting with the Senate leadership, Tinubu convened another session with governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he further reinforced his stance.
Speaking after the meeting, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago disclosed that the President had effectively empowered governors to oversee the party’s primaries.
“He has given us the go-ahead to conduct primaries in line with the Electoral Act, whether through consensus or direct primaries,” Bago said.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq also confirmed that discussions centred on ensuring a smooth, transparent, and rancour-free primary process.
The President’s position aligns with earlier remarks by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, who stated that automatic tickets are not recognised under the party’s constitution or the Electoral Act.
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“There is no provision for automatic tickets. Candidates must emerge either through consensus or direct primaries,” Yilwatda had said.
Meanwhile, the APC has released its revised timetable for the 2027 primaries, with House of Representatives primaries scheduled for May 15, Senate primaries for May 18, and the presidential primary set for May 23, 2026.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also fixed the general election dates, with presidential and National Assembly elections slated for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state assembly polls to follow on February 6, 2027.
Tinubu’s stance is expected to significantly reshape the political landscape within the APC, potentially leading to intense intra-party battles and a high turnover of lawmakers, as governors tighten their grip on party structures and candidate selection.
