Politics
2027: APC governors, lawmakers push for automatic tickets
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently grappling with demands from federal lawmakers and state governors for automatic tickets ahead of the 2027 polls.
Reports indicate that Senators and members of the House of Representatives are demanding guaranteed slots from the party to return to their seats while outgoing state governors seeking to vie for senate seats are also making demands for the senatorial tickets of the party.
Party sources say no official decision has been made but several meetings are being held to address the issue. Insiders reveal the party is treading carefully to avert a crisis in the buildup to the primaries.
The leadership of the National Assembly has called for the adoption of automatic tickets for serving lawmakers, arguing that the move is critical to sustaining reforms championed by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
The demand was reportedly made during the party’s last convention at Eagle Square in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the APC caucuses in both chambers, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, noted that granting return tickets to performing legislators would promote continuity, stability, and effective policy implementation in line with the “Renewed Hope” agenda.
According to Abbas, the National Assembly has played a pivotal role in advancing key reforms—including fiscal and electoral changes—and should be strengthened rather than distracted by internal party contests.
“The stability of the legislature is critical to sustaining the reform process. Automatic tickets will allow lawmakers to focus on delivering on their mandate without the distractions of internal party contests,” Abbas said.
He maintained that the proposal is not a “privilege,” but a strategic mechanism to ensure policy consistency during a period of major economic reform. Senate President Godswill Akpabio aligned himself with the Speaker’s position, expressing strong support for legislative continuity.
APC leadership meets reps caucus
A closed-door meeting recently took place between the party’s National Chairman, Yilwatda Nentawe, National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, and members of the House of Representatives. About 230 members of the party’s caucus reportedly attended the session, which lasted four hours.
According to a source privy to the meeting, no definitive deal was reached, but the party assured lawmakers that their collective interests would be protected.
“The party is in a dilemma. This is because there are members who recently defected to the party whose interests must also be considered where necessary,” the source added.
Lawmakers’ concerns
Lawmakers expressed anxiety over moves by certain governors to block their return to the National Assembly. It was learned that some governors, nursing personal grudges, are rooting for the replacement of specific lawmakers—or intend to run for those seats themselves.
A party source noted that this friction contradicts a rumored arrangement where governors would produce candidates for State Assemblies, while the President would have the final say on federal lawmaker candidates. The party is reportedly awaiting final clearance from the President before taking a definite stand.
The risks of mismanagement
Political analyst Mathew Ifeolu warned that if the ruling party fails to handle the demand for automatic tickets carefully, it could trigger a massive internal crisis.
In a telephone interview, Mr. Ifeolu noted that most political crises begin in the aftermath of primaries. He urged the APC leadership to manage the situation with transparency. (Daily Trust)
Member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Aisha Yesufu, has vowed to oppose the second-term ambition of former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, if he becomes president in 2027.
Yesufu made this statement on Monday during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ programme.
According to Yesufu, Peter Obi has given his word not to seek a second term in office and must keep it.
According to the political activist, Peter Obi’s decision for a single term is not a recent remark or tied to the 2027 election, adding he has been saying it even before the 2023 election.Politics
She said, “If Peter Obi gets into office as president and decides to do more than one term, I will oppose him with everything in me because he gave his words, and he has to stick to his words.
“I sat down with Mr Peter Obi and I said to him, I need your word on this. I know you had said it before. I want you to repeat it. Is it true you’re going to do just one term? He said, Aisha, I told you, even in 2023 and I still mean it.
“I sought that clarification because I was going out telling people and putting my name on the line. I don’t joke with my name. I don’t joke with my integrity. And he said he gave his word.
“So, he can’t come back and say that he’s going to do more than one term. We will fight him there. But I know also that he’s someone who keeps his words.”
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has fired back at a remark by presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, insisting that the party will not be intimidated by what it described as “unlawful whistles.”
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Saturday, he said it was not lost as suggested, but rather chose not to heed directives it considered illegitimate.
Bolaji was reacting to an earlier post by Onanuga, who wrote: “Just continue your illegality, the lawless ADC. The dog that wants to get lost in the forest will ignore the hunter’s whistle.”
Responding, the ADC spokesman used a metaphor to counter the criticism.
“The hunter you speak of has no jurisdiction in this forest,” Abdullahi said.
“ADC is not lost; we are simply not following unlawful whistles. Besides, don’t forget, the forest hides that which hunts the hunter,” he said.
He maintained that the party would continue to act within the bounds of the law and would not be deterred by political attacks.
The APC has slammed the ADC over internal disputes, calling their challenges self-inflicted and backing INEC’s ruling against the party.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the opposition party as “confused and desperate” over recent leadership disputes.
In a Thursday press statement signed by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, the party described the ADC’s challenges as self-inflicted, resulting from internal factional disputes that led to a court ruling and subsequent action by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Quite apart from being an assembly of Nigeria’s most confused and desperate politicians, the ADC has distinguished itself as a peddler of rabid conspiracy theories about what the APC is or is not doing,” the statement said.
The APC accused the ADC of violating its own constitution and failing to follow proper leadership succession processes when the faction led by Senator David Mark and former governor Rauf Aregbesola assumed control of the party. “By parachuting into the party like thoughtless and planless commandos, and hijacking the party in violent violation of its constitutional stipulations, the ADC set its own date with destiny,” the statement added.
According to the APC, INEC’s decision to derecognize the Mark-led executives is “valid in law, justified in fact, and consistent with electoral policy and democratic practice,” describing the move as a lawful consequence of ADC’s internal mismanagement.
The ruling party also criticized the opposition for repeatedly targeting the APC instead of addressing its internal issues. “It is highly escapist and irresponsible for the ADC to blame the APC for its internal woes of which they are the sole architects,” the statement read.
APC officials further questioned the ADC’s ability to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development, arguing that “a party that cannot fix itself cannot possibly fix Nigeria,” and labeling the party as “bereft of ideas and lost in vain desperation for power.”
Despite the exchange, the APC reaffirmed its commitment to governance under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “Our great party and the administration of President Bola Tinubu remain steadfast in delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda, and strengthening democratic institutions for peace, unity, and prosperity of all Nigerians,” the statement concluded.
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