As the political manoeuvrings ahead of the 2027 general election gather pace, there are indications that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and most of the serving National Assembly lawmakers on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform may be granted automatic tickets.
Sources within the ruling party disclosed to LEADERSHIP that the move, which is critical among top party stakeholders, is seen as part of the president’s firm grip on party structures nationwide.
According to one of the sources, the automatic ticket idea was broached to prevent possible litigation and loopholes that aggrieved members could use to stifle the party’s preparations for the 2027 election cycle.
The source added that the idea is one of the key reasons for the defection of former opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly to the ruling APC.
It was also learnt that there is a greater emphasis on loyalty and party stability, with competitive primaries often leading to internal divisions.
The automatic ticket option comes against the budding opposition coalition set on unseating Tinubu in 2027.
So far, the meetings of aggrieved APC members and opposition leaders are crystallising into a likely mass movement to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), spearheaded by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The APC National Executive Committee (NEC) passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu two weeks ago, signifying a right-of-first-refusal offer to the president for the party’s top electoral ticket.
However, a reliable source who attended the APC NEC meeting in Abuja disclosed that the conduct of a convention that would retain the party’s current structures from the national, state, local government and ward levels was discussed.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said that while some APC state governors have yet to support the plan fully, plans are in place to allow them to decide the fate of those to be elected into the state assemblies in their various states.
If the plan follows through, the Dr Umar Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee (NWC) and the state chapters will be retained to midwive the president’s sole candidacy and those of the National Assembly members who have demonstrated loyalty to the party since Tinubu’s tenure began.
“The party leadership is aware of past mistakes where internal wrangling weakened our chances. This time, the goal is to ensure a seamless transition into the election period without unnecessary distractions. The best way to do that is to retain the current structure and prevent avoidable primary battles.
“If you recall, in the 2019 general elections, we lost Zamfara State to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) due to an internal crisis that stemmed from the party congresses, which continued until 2023.
“Also, APC did not have candidates in Rivers State because of parallel congresses conducted by party members. A crisis caused by the congress almost consumed Imo State. If not for the court, we nearly lost the state to the PDP.”
He further stated that the president had received security reports indicating that some aggrieved party members were already preparing to defect to other political parties.
“However, their strategy is first to cause instability within the APC if a new congress is conducted to elect party executives. To counter this, the President believes the best approach is to avoid holding new congresses and a national convention before the 2027 election.
“He is focused on ensuring stability within the party and preventing pre-election legal battles that could create setbacks. Retaining the current executives will help maintain cohesion and avoid unnecessary distractions,” the source stated.
It was also gathered that the party plans to formally adopt a motion at its yet-to-be-announced National Convention to retain all executives from the National Working Committee (NWC) down to the ward level.
The move will strengthen Tinubu’s influence over the party’s structure and primary elections.
“The party intends to hold a convention where, on the event day, a motion will be moved to retain the current party executives from the national to the ward level until after the 2027 general elections,” the source added.
Party insiders said this was a key factor behind the NEC’s recent confidence vote on Ganduje and his NWC. This move endorses their ability to manage the party, withstand major disruptions and clear the pathway for President Tinubu to secure a second term ticket quickly.
Similarly, incumbent National Assembly lawmakers in the party may benefit from a similar arrangement to retain their seats.
“There is a growing consensus that the party should not subject itself to avoidable turmoil. Most lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives who have demonstrated loyalty to the President and the party may not need to undergo the usual rigorous primaries. Instead, they could be allowed to return unopposed,” another senior party member who pleaded anonymity stated.
