President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has firmly rejected calls by senators seeking automatic tickets for the next general elections, instead reaffirming the authority of state governors as the final decision-makers in candidate selection.
The decision followed a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where Senate leaders, led by Godswill Akpabio, held closed-door talks with the President amid rising internal tensions over party ticket allocations ahead of the 2027 elections.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed the meeting but declined to disclose details. However, insiders revealed that the session was dominated by appeals from some lawmakers pushing for automatic nominations to secure their return to the Senate without going through party primaries.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the senators argued that automatic tickets would preserve legislative experience, ensure continuity, and reduce intra-party disputes. The proposal, however, met strong resistance from the President.
Tinubu reportedly made it clear that such arrangements would undermine party structure and internal democracy. He emphasised that governors, as leaders of party machinery in their respective states, must retain control over candidate selection processes.
“He was unequivocal. Governors remain the political leaders at the state level and must decide who gets the ticket,” a senior National Assembly source disclosed.
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The position aligns with Nigeria’s established political framework, where governors wield significant influence over party structures and electoral strategies within their states. By backing governors, Tinubu has reinforced their role as key power brokers ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested 2027 election cycle.
The issue of automatic tickets has long divided political opinion. Critics argue that it weakens democratic competition by shutting out new entrants and limiting voter choice, while supporters insist it provides stability and retains experienced lawmakers within the legislature.
With Tinubu’s stance now clear, attention is expected to shift to state-level political dynamics, where governors will play decisive roles in shaping party tickets and determining the next lineup of candidates across the country.
