The Digest:
President Bola Tinubu has rebuffed lobbying efforts by Senate leadership to secure automatic return tickets for APC legislators ahead of the 2027 elections, instead reaffirming that state governors have the authority over candidate selection in their states. After a closed-door meeting with senators, Tinubu told them that governors "are the leaders of the party in their states and must have a say on who gets the ticket." He later empowered governors to drive the primary process.
Key Points:
- Tinubu's decision has deepened anxiety among lawmakers with strained governor relationships.
- APC's national chairman previously said automatic tickets are not in the party's constitution.
- The party's revised timetable schedules Senate primaries for May 18, House for May 15.
- Governors can now choose between consensus or direct primaries.
- The decision may affect senators like Gbenga Daniel, who faces opposition from his governor.
Incumbent lawmakers now face uncertain re-election prospects as governors control the ticket process.
Sources: Punch Newspaper, Vanguard
