The All Progressives Congress (APC) has refuted widespread reports suggesting it has granted automatic return tickets to its first-term federal lawmakers in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on Monday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, described the viral report as “false” and urged party members and the public to disregard it.
“The story did not originate from the party,” Morka said. “APC remains committed to internal democracy and due process in its candidate selection process.”
The clarification comes amid ongoing defections from opposition parties to the ruling APC, which currently controls 68 out of 109 Senate seats and more than 200 out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives. Many defectors cited internal party crises and the desire to be part of a government that, in their view, delivers democratic dividends.
There have been rumors that defectors and serving lawmakers were being assured of automatic tickets as incentives, but the party has now formally denied this.
The issue gained traction following the recent National Summit of the APC, held at the Presidential Villa and themed “Renewed Hope Agenda: The Journey So Far.” During the summit, all 22 APC governors, National Assembly caucus members, and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
Although President Tinubu made a light-hearted remark during the 2025 budget presentation, joking that all lawmakers had been “re-elected,” this has been widely interpreted out of context, Morka implied.
Lawmakers React
Hon. Terseer Ugbor (APC, Benue) said the idea of a blanket policy on automatic tickets is impractical in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“In the U.S., long-serving legislators contribute immensely. But here, high turnover is common,” he said. “Experience matters, but you cannot impose continuity where constituents want change.”
Hon. Ahmadu Usman Jaha (APC, Borno) dismissed the notion entirely, citing legal and constitutional frameworks.
“There is no automatic ticket anywhere in the world in a democracy. If due process is ignored, it could lead to legal setbacks like in Zamfara,” he warned. “We’re not afraid of primaries—we’ve been through them.”
Hon. Bello El-Rufai (APC, Kaduna) declined to weigh in, stating:
“I have no view because my focus is on representing my people very well, not an election you and I might not be alive to witness.”
An APC lawmaker from Nasarawa State, speaking anonymously, admitted the party could consider consensus in some cases, especially for high-performing lawmakers.
“There is a reward system in politics. Lawmakers who have delivered development may be favored. But ultimately, the party will follow its constitution and do what best serves its interests.”
He emphasized that while consensus and internal negotiations are part of party politics, adherence to due process remains crucial to avoiding future legal or electoral risks.
Bottom Line
As the 2027 elections approach, APC appears to be balancing loyalty, performance, and political pragmatism rather than offering a one-size-fits-all promise of automatic tickets.
