Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the National Assembly have threatened to defect to opposition parties if they are denied tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The lawmakers, who spoke anonymously with The Leadership, expressed frustration over indications that President Bola Tinubu had allegedly empowered governors of the party to influence the selection of candidates in their states.
They said the development had left many federal lawmakers at the mercy of governors, some of whom they described as power-intoxicated.
One of the lawmakers, who confided in Leadership, said it was disappointing that the President had not moved to protect members of the APC-controlled National Assembly despite their support for his administration.
The lawmaker said, “Even after the support we have given the President, making Nigerians tag us as a rubber stamp, he could not protect and reward us, leaving us at the mercy of the governors.”
Other APC lawmakers said they might join opposition parties if they are denied the party’s tickets, insisting that their constituents would still vote for them.
Some of them appealed to Tinubu to reconsider his position, arguing that lawmakers remained important to governance and his re-election bid.
“As devastating and disappointing as this is, it is not too late for the President to reconsider his decision. He has pending requests before us and a full budget to present,” another lawmaker said anonymously.
However, the controversy over automatic tickets has taken a new twist in the Senate. Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, hinted at such an arrangement during a stakeholders’ engagement, naming some senators who may benefit.
Those mentioned include Adamu Aliero, Abdulaziz Yari, Orji Uzor Kalu and Opeyemi Bamidele.
Others are Yahaya Abdullahi, Abdullahi Yahaya Abubakar, Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Danjuma Goje and Adetokunbo Abiru.
Idris said the lawmakers had played key roles in stabilising the National Assembly and strengthening executive-legislative relations.
Although neither the Presidency nor the APC leadership has confirmed the automatic ticket arrangement, the development has continued to generate debate within the ruling party.