The Digest:
Federal lawmakers in the All Progressives Congress (APC) are facing anxiety after President Bola Tinubu empowered state governors to decide the fate of aspirants in their states ahead of the 2027 primaries. Tinubu reportedly ceded his executive power to governors to conduct primaries based on the Electoral Act, through consensus or direct primaries. Some lawmakers who defected expecting automatic tickets now express regret, with one analyst calling the directive a threat to democracy.
Key Points:
- Lawmakers who backed executive proposals in the National Assembly expected automatic tickets.
- A House member said it's too early to conclude lawmakers have been sidelined.
- Arise TV's Sumner Sambo said many lawmakers are now "living in regret."
- An analyst warned that the directive erodes the will of the people.
- The Electoral Act prohibits party defection at this stage, trapping affected lawmakers.
The analyst described Tinubu as "masterfully crafty" in politics but warned of deteriorating political institutions.
Sources: Daily Post, Daily Trust
