The Taraba State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied reports claiming that Governor Agbu Kefas endorsed all serving members of the National Assembly and the Taraba State House of Assembly for automatic tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party described the reports as misleading and inaccurate, saying no final decision had been taken on the emergence of candidates for elective positions.
Speaking on the development on Thursday, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Aaron Artimas, said the process of selecting consensus candidates was still ongoing.
He explained that the exercise would be carried out in line with the party’s internal democratic procedures.
Artimas said Kefas had constituted three consensus committees across the state’s senatorial zones to consult with stakeholders and ensure a transparent and peaceful process ahead of the elections.
According to him, the committees were set up to harmonise interests, manage internal concerns and build unity within the party before candidates are chosen.
He noted that the committees had yet to conclude their assignment or submit final recommendations for adoption by the party leadership.
The APC spokesman urged party members and the public to disregard claims that automatic tickets had already been granted to serving lawmakers.
Artimas reaffirmed the party’s commitment to fairness, inclusiveness and due process in the selection of candidates for the 2027 polls.
He said the party would continue to follow laid-down procedures to avoid unnecessary tension and ensure that members are carried along in decisions affecting the party’s future.
Meanwhile, uneasy calm has enveloped some communities in Ondo State following the alleged influx of suspected political thugs ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries scheduled to begin this week.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the development has heightened fears of a repeat of the violence that disrupted the party’s recent congresses in the state.
The APC has fixed its House of Representatives primary for Thursday, while the Senate and House of Assembly primaries are scheduled for May 18 and 20, respectively.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and some National Assembly members from the state are reportedly at loggerheads over alleged moves to deny some aspirants return tickets.
Party sources who spoke with The Guardian said the crisis deepened after the APC national leadership rejected a consensus list allegedly backed by the governor and insisted on direct primaries.
The governor was said to oppose the direct primary option.
Residents in Owo, Akure, Idanre, Irele, Okitipupa and Akoko South-West Local Government Areas expressed concern over the reported movement of unfamiliar persons into their communities ahead of the primaries.
A resident of Irele urged security agencies to intensify surveillance.