According to a report by The Punch on Friday, April 24, 2026, President Bola Tinubu has rejected requests from Senate leaders seeking automatic return tickets for serving lawmakers ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting instead that state governors should determine candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The decision reportedly followed a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa involving Senate leadership, during which lawmakers sought assurances to secure their chances of re-election. However, the President maintained that governors, as party leaders in their respective states, must play a decisive role in the selection of candidates for upcoming elections.
This position has generated unease among several federal legislators, particularly those who have strained relationships with their state governors. Many lawmakers are now concerned that their chances of securing party tickets could be significantly affected under the current arrangement, especially in states where internal party dynamics are tense.
Shortly after the meeting with senators, Tinubu held another engagement with APC governors, where he formally empowered them to oversee the primary election process. Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago confirmed that the President directed governors to conduct primaries in accordance with the Electoral Act, using either consensus arrangements or direct voting methods.
Party officials have consistently reiterated that automatic tickets are not recognized within the APC’s framework. Instead, candidate selection is expected to be based on performance, party loyalty, and grassroots support. This approach, according to party leaders, is intended to strengthen internal democracy and ensure that credible candidates emerge.
In preparation for the 2027 elections, the APC has released a revised timetable outlining key dates for its primaries. Primaries for the House of Representatives are scheduled for May 15, Senate primaries for May 18, and the presidential primary for May 23, 2026.
Meanwhile, political tensions are already becoming evident in several states. In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun is reportedly positioning himself for a Senate seat, while in Benue State, internal divisions within the party continue to deepen.
With governors now firmly in control of the nomination process, political analysts anticipate heightened competition and strategic maneuvering, which could significantly reshape the composition of the National Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections.