2027: Crisis Rocks APC as Governors Push To Block Some Lawmakers From Returning To National Assembly
2027: Crisis Rocks APC as Governors Push To Block Some Lawmakers From Returning To National Assembly
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing a brewing internal crisis as federal lawmakers and some state governors clash over the party’s ticket allocation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reports indicate that senators and members of the House of Representatives are lobbying for automatic return tickets to secure their seats in the National Assembly, while several outgoing governors are reportedly eyeing the party’s senatorial tickets.
The competing demands have created tension within the party and prompted urgent deliberations among its leadership.
According to insiders, the APC has been holding multiple meetings aimed at managing the situation and preventing internal conflicts ahead of the party primaries.
The party’s National Assembly leadership has reportedly been at the forefront of advocating for automatic tickets for serving legislators.At the party’s recent convention at Eagle Square in Abuja, the matter became a central point of discussion.
Speaking on behalf of APC caucuses in both chambers of the National Assembly, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas argued that granting return tickets to performing lawmakers would help sustain the reform agenda championed by President Bola Tinubu.
“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 noted that the National Assembly has played a key role in advancing major fiscal and electoral reforms aligned with the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Similarly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed support for the proposal, stressing that legislative continuity would strengthen the ongoing reforms under the current administration.
Advocates of automatic tickets argue that the move would ensure policy stability and effective governance, especially amid significant economic and structural reforms.In response to the growing debate, the APC leadership recently convened a closed-door meeting with House of Representatives members, which reportedly lasted about four hours and was attended by around 230 lawmakers.
The party’s National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru were also present.While no final decision emerged from the session, a source familiar with the discussions said the party assured lawmakers that their concerns would be considered.
“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 explained.
Meanwhile, lawmakers have expressed concern over attempts by some state governors to block their return to the National Assembly.
Sources suggest that certain governors, allegedly nursing political grievances, are pushing to replace incumbent lawmakers or are planning to contest the same seats themselves.Politics
The development has reportedly heightened tensions within the ruling party as it navigates the delicate balance between federal lawmakers’ interests and the ambitions of state governors.
Another source indicated that a rumored arrangement may also be fueling the disagreement, where state governors would influence candidates for State Assembly seats, while the President would oversee the selection of federal lawmakers.
The APC leadership is reportedly awaiting final clearance from President Bola Tinubu before adopting an official position on the automatic ticket demand, signaling that a resolution may still be some weeks away.
As the 2027 general elections approach, the party faces the challenge of managing competing interests within its ranks while presenting a united front to the electorate.
Political analysts warn that how the APC navigates this crisis could have significant implications for its cohesion and electoral fortunes in the coming polls.
