APC’s ‘No Automatic Ticket’ Claim A Farce, Says Prof. Kila

The Director of the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, Professor Anthony Kila, has described the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s declaration that defecting governors will not receive automatic tickets for the next elections as “a farce” and “tokenism”, insisting that behind-the-scenes political deals were already in place.

Speaking on ARISE News Channel during a discussion on the APC’s reported decision to rule out automatic tickets for governors, Kila argued that Nigeria’s democracy is being run by “a very tiny minority who are talking amongst themselves,” rather than by an engaged and active citizenry.

“We, the people, look at democracy too much as a right. We do not see it as a duty that has to be done,” Kila said, questioning how many Nigerians actively participate in politics beyond voting.

“How many people do you know that have donated money to political parties? How many people have written letters to government offices or political parties to express dissent or offer opinions?”

According to him, the concentration of political power and funding in the hands of a few explains why leaders appear detached from public accountability.

“We’re running a situation of less than 0.001%. And because they fund politics, they decide there is no consequence, there is no fear of the people,” he said.

Kila was particularly critical of governors who defected from opposition parties to the ruling APC, saying he has “very little regard” for such politicians. “In my mind, they lack character, they lack vision, and they lack stamina,” he said, dismissing claims that defections were necessary to ensure states’ access to federal power as “unacceptable nonsense.”

On the APC’s proclamation that there would be no automatic tickets for governors, Kila said the announcement should not be taken at face value. “I believe it is not true. I believe it’s a farce. I think behind doors, some people are reassured,” he stated, adding that Nigerian politicians may be ineffective in governance but are “very good in preserving their own interest and their position.”

Responding to suggestions that the policy may be targeted at Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, Kila said such a move was plausible. “It is possible it is targeted at him,” he noted, describing the ongoing Rivers political crisis as one in which the ruling party is trying to “eat their cake and have it.”

He also pointed to similar political tensions in Kano and other states, arguing that silent conflicts were brewing across the federation due to clashing ambitions among defectors and long-standing party members. “There are states where the people who have defected… are sworn enemies. So egos are at stake,” he said.

Kila concluded that the selective application of internal party rules underscores the failure of democratic principles. “What we practice is a system of ‘all animals are equal, but some are more equal’.”