Tinubu Leaves Lawmakers Fate To Governors

Tinubu Leaves Lawmakers Fate To Governors

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ruled out automatic tickets for serving lawmakers ahead of 2027, insisting that candidate selection rests with state governors.

He made this clear during a closed-door meeting with Senate leaders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The decision followed lobbying by lawmakers seeking guaranteed return tickets. It has raised tension among senators facing strained ties with their governors.

The president later met with governors of the All Progressives Congress, where he reinforced their authority over party primaries.

Governors were given the go-ahead to conduct primaries in line with the Electoral Act. This effectively places control of candidate selection at the state level.

The move is seen as shaping the battle for party tickets ahead of the elections.

Lawmakers had earlier hoped for backing from the presidency after signals of support for their return. However, the latest stance aligns with party rules that favour consensus or direct primaries.

Party officials have also maintained that automatic tickets are not recognised. This has increased uncertainty for many seeking re-election.

The development comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission rolls out timelines for the 2027 elections. Party primaries are scheduled within a fixed window, with campaigns to follow later in the year.

The president’s position could reshape political alignments across states. Attention is now on how governors will handle the process.