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Automatic Ticket: Tinubu Leaves Lawmakers’ Fate In Govs’ Hands
President Bola Tinubu has rebuffed lobbying efforts by the leadership of the Senate to secure automatic return tickets for the ruling party’s sitting legislators ahead of the 2027 general elections, instead reaffirming the authority of state governors over the selection of candidates in their respective states, The PUNCH reports.
This was as he formally empowered governors to drive the primaries process after a meeting with the state executives on Thursday evening.
Our correspondents gathered that the President’s position has deepened anxiety among federal lawmakers, including several senators whose relationships with their governors have been strained.
The President made the decision at a closed-door meeting with the extended leadership of the Senate at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday evening.
Tinubu had earlier suggested that he would “do everything within the party’s power” to ensure the return of serving legislators, a promise that raised expectations in the National Assembly.
Multiple senior National Assembly sources familiar with the meeting said the senators had gone to the Villa specifically to press for Tinubu’s assurances.
The source said, “The meeting was to plead for automatic tickets for senators but President Tinubu insisted that the governor of each state has the influence over candidates.
Tinubu had earlier suggested that he would “do everything within the party’s power” to ensure the return of serving legislators, a promise that raised expectations in the National Assembly.
Multiple senior National Assembly sources familiar with the meeting said the senators had gone to the Villa specifically to press for Tinubu’s assurances.
The source said, “The meeting was to plead for automatic tickets for senators but President Tinubu insisted that the governor of each state has the influence over candidates.
They made a case for continuity and stability and argued for automatic tickets, but the President was very clear in his response.
“He told them plainly that governors were the leaders of the party in their states and must have a say on who gets the ticket.”
One of our correspondents had spotted the official Mercedes sedan of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, arriving at the Villa at minutes past 5pm on Wednesday.
The PUNCH also learned that the visit that was not on the President’s official schedule for the day.
Senate Majority Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, in a post on his verified X account in the early hours of Thursday, confirmed the gathering, describing it as a session that deliberated on “matters of urgent national importance” following a resolution passed at a closed executive session of the Senate earlier that day.
“Far-reaching decisions were taken at this strategic meeting,” Bamidele wrote.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga separately confirmed the meeting, describing it as a consultation between Tinubu and “the extended leadership of the Senate.”
Less than 24 hours later, President Tinubu convened a second meeting, this time with APC governors.
The governors’ meeting, initially scheduled for 4pm at the Council Chamber, began at approximately 5pm after the venue was moved to the Conference Room of the President’s Office.
Present were Prof. Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, among others.
Some states were represented by their deputy governors.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, who spoke to State House correspondents revealed that Tinubu had formally empowered governors to drive the primaries process.
Bago said, “We came to thank the President for his magnanimity and his support to the governors and for our party, the APC.
“He gave us a matching order on what to do for him, he has given and ceded his executive power to the governors to go ahead and conduct primaries based on the Electoral Act, either a consensus or direct primaries.
So he has reiterated his support for our decision, and he has given us a go ahead.”
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq confirmed the development saying, “The timetable for the primaries has been released. We’ve discussed the process moving forward so that there will be free and fair elections, no rancour, at the end of the process, so the party comes out stronger, stronger than ever, heading towards the election.”
Tinubu’s stance on the automatic came days after the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said granting automatic tickets is not part of the party’s ethos.
At a media chat in Abuja on April 17, Nentawe said, “There is no automatic ticket in our constitution. The party cannot promise an automatic ticket.
“The constitution of the party does not provide for automatic tickets, and the party cannot wishfully promise automatic ticket to anyone. The Electoral Act also does not provide for automatic ticket.
“It says all primaries must be either by consensus or by direct primaries.”
He added that performance, not incumbency, would be the deciding factor for those seeking re-election.
The APC’s revised 2027 primary timetable, announced by the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, at the 186th National Working Committee meeting on Thursday, now pegs Senate primaries for May 18, 2026.
House of Representatives primaries are scheduled for May 15, with the presidential primary on May 23.
Meseko also disclosed that the screening of aspirants, initially scheduled for May 6 to May 8, including the presidential screening set for May 9, has now been rescheduled.
Announcing the adjustment to the APC 2027 schedule of activities, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary stated, “We now have a new revised timetable in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, the Electoral Act 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
“We hereby present the new revised timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2027 general elections to the press.
“Notice had already been given to state chapters on Monday, April 20. Sales of forms will commence this Saturday, April 25, to Saturday, May 2, 2026. The last day for submission of completed forms and accompanying documents is now Monday, May 4, 2026.
“Screening of aspirants- House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and Presidential will hold as follows: Wednesday, May 6, to Friday, May 8, 2026, for House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship screening respectively. Saturday, May 9, 2026, is the screening for Presidential aspirants.
“Publication of screening results for State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and Presidential will hold on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Screening appeals will be handled by the appeal committees from Tuesday, May 12, to Wednesday, May 13, 2026, for State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and Presidential.
“Primary elections of the All Progressives Congress commence as follows: Friday, May 15, 2026: House of Representatives primary elections.
“Monday, May 18, 2026: Senate primary elections. Wednesday, May 20, 2026: State House of Assembly primary elections. Thursday, May 21, 2026: Governorship primary elections. Saturday, May 23, 2026: Presidential primary elections.”
Meseko announced that the post-primary appeal committees will sit on Monday, May 18, 2026 for the House of Representatives; Wednesday, May 20, 2026 for the Senate; Thursday, May 21, 2026 for the State House of Assembly; Saturday, May 23, 2026 for the governorship; and Monday, May 25, 2026 for the presidential.
He explained that the party has adopted the two modes of primary elections provided in the 2026 Electoral Act, direct primary and consensus for selecting candidates for elective positions.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027.
The Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
The Commission also stated that party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, are scheduled to hold between April 23, 2026 and May 30, 2026.
According to INEC, campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will begin on September 9, 2026.
Tinubu’s position may jinx the re-election bid of several lawmakers in several states.
Among them is Senator Gbenga Daniel of Ogun East, who is facing a concerted effort by Governor Dapo Abiodun to reclaim the senate seat for himself.
Daniel was reportedly shut out of a stakeholders’ meeting of the Ogun East senatorial district, a gathering that Governor Abiodun presided over.
Abiodun himself, who cannot seek a third term as governor, has been picked as the preferred senatorial candidate in Ogun East, with the Senate Committee on Appropriations chairman, Senator Adeola Olamilekan, positioned as the governorship candidate.
In Nasarawa State, Senator Aliyu Wadada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, has secured a consensus endorsement for the governorship, which would see him exit the Senate.
In Oyo, Senator Sharafadeen Alli received the APC’s backing on April 15 to succeed Governor Makinde.
These departures, alongside the growing list of senators whose governors are actively working against their return, may see a high turnover rate in the red chamber.
A North-East senator who spoke to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity warned that the APC is walking a constitutional tightrope.
The lawmaker said, “There is no provision for an automatic ticket in the APC Constitution. The Electoral Act recognises the consensus and direct primaries option.”
“Whatever they discuss in their meeting cannot upstage the law. We should either go by consensus or adopt the primary election model,” the senator added, noting that he was not privy to what was decided at the Senate leadership’s meeting with the President.
In Benue state, the fallout between Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and Governor Hyacinth Alia over control of the APC structure in the state has pushed 10 of the state’s 11 federal lawmakers into Akume’s camp.
However, Tinubu on Thursday at the meeting, which Alia attended, gave governors the green light to determine the direction of the states primaries.
In late March, Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives Philip Agbese defected from the APC to the Labour Party, after his return prospects under the APC collapsed.
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has declared Monday a work-free day across the state in honour of the late former Governor of Gongola State and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Mohammed Tukur.
The declaration came a day after Tukur was buried in Yola following funeral prayers held at the Lamido’s Palace on Sunday.
Daily Voice reports that political leaders, traditional rulers, family members, associates and sympathisers gathered to pay their final respects to the elder statesman.
Fintiri announced the work-free day in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, saying the decision was intended to give residents an opportunity to honour Tukur and reflect on his contributions to Adamawa State and Nigeria.Nigeria travel guides
The governor described Tukur as a prominent statesman whose contributions to the growth and development of the state and the country would remain part of his enduring legacy.
According to Fintiri, the work-free day is part of activities surrounding the three-day mourning period earlier declared by his administration following the death of the former Gongola State governor.
Fintiri urged residents to use Monday to pray for the peaceful repose of Tukur’s soul and seek comfort for his family, friends and other people affected by his death.
He also directed that government flags across Adamawa State would continue to fly at half-mast throughout the mourning period as a mark of respect for the late statesman.
However, the governor clarified that the declaration would not affect essential services, directing workers in critical sectors to continue their duties.
The latest announcement follows Fintiri’s earlier declaration of three days of mourning after Tukur died on Saturday at the age of 90.
At the time, the governor had described the death as a major loss to Adamawa State and Nigeria, recalling Tukur’s long years of service in public life.Nigeria travel guides
“It is with deep sadness that I mourn the passing of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, former Governor of Gongola State and an elder statesman whose contributions to our state and nation will remain indelible,” Fintiri had said.
The governor had also announced that government flags would be flown at half-mast throughout the mourning period.
“In his honour and in recognition of his selfless service, I have declared three days of mourning across Adamawa State, during which all government flags will fly at half-mast,” he said.
Fintiri further extended his condolences to Tukur’s family, associates and the people of Adamawa State, saying they were united in grief over the death of the former governor.
“My heart goes out to his family, associates, and the good people of our state during this period of grief,” he said.
Tukur’s family had announced his death in a statement signed by his son, Awwal D. Tukur, on behalf of the family. The statement said the former PDP chairman had “returned to his Creator” after a lifetime devoted to public service, business and community development.
The family described Tukur as a man whose influence extended beyond his immediate family to Adamawa State and Nigeria, citing his wisdom, generosity and commitment to national development.
It also expressed appreciation to Nigerians and others who offered prayers, condolences and support following his death.
Tukur was one of the prominent political figures from the old Gongola region and occupied several important positions during his decades in public and private life.
He served as the third civilian governor of the defunct Gongola State, an entity that existed before the creation of Adamawa and Taraba states. His tenure remains part of the political history of the region.
Beyond his role as governor, Tukur served as Minister of Industries during the military administration of former Head of State, General Sani Abacha. He was also involved in business and economic development activities and, in 2012, served as president of the Africa Business Roundtable.
Tukur later became national chairman of the PDP in March 2012, remaining in the position until January 2014 during a politically turbulent period in Nigeria.Nigeria travel guides
His death came shortly before his 91st birthday, which would have been celebrated on September 15.
The Anambra State Government says it is still repaying loans taken out by previous administrations, including those of former governors Peter Obi and Willie Obiano.
The state said the inherited obligations remain part of its financial commitments, despite the Chukwuma Soludo administration’s decision not to take fresh commercial bank loans since it came into office.
Commissioner for Finance, Izuchukwu Okafor, disclosed this while speaking on the Ndi Anambra podcast released by the state government’s New Media team.
Okafor used the platform to explain the state’s current financial position and the steps taken by the Soludo administration to reduce its debt burden.
According to him, the government has focused largely on paying existing obligations rather than accumulating new debts.
“It’s on record that this administration has not borrowed a kobo from any commercial bank since the inception of this administration,” he said.The commissioner explained that the absence of new commercial borrowing does not mean the state has completely stopped making debt payments.
He said funds due to Anambra from the Federation Account Allocation Committee are still being deducted to service loans contracted by earlier administrations.
Okafor specifically linked some of the outstanding obligations to the administrations of Obi and Obiano.Read Political News
“These loans were borrowed during the time of Peter Obi and Willie Obiano, the past governors,” Okafor said.
The disclosure comes amid continued debate over the financial records of successive administrations in Anambra and the extent to which the state has relied on borrowing to finance projects.
Peter Obi governed Anambra from 2006 to 2013, while Willie Obiano succeeded him and remained in office until 2022. Soludo took over as governor in March 2022.
The current administration has repeatedly presented debt reduction as one of the major areas of its financial policy.
Okafor said the government had made substantial progress in reducing the liabilities it inherited.
He claimed that the overall state debt profile had dropped by more than 83 per cent under the Soludo administration.
“We have been able to manage the state debt very well, that we have brought it down by more than 83 per cent as of today,” Okafor said.
He said the reduction was not limited to conventional loans.
According to him, the government also inherited several domestic financial obligations which had to be addressed alongside existing debt repayments.
These included unpaid contracts, gratuity arrears and pension liabilities.
The commissioner said the administration had been working to settle such obligations while maintaining funding for ongoing government programmes.
He further stated that Anambra’s domestic debt had been brought close to zero after several outstanding liabilities were cleared.
Okafor said the government still has obligations tied to facilities obtained from development institutions.
He explained that some of the loans are structured in a way that allows repayments to be deducted directly from the state’s federal allocations.
“Before they limit Anambra’s own allocation, they will deduct it as such because most of them, World Bank loans and other loans, they committed,” he said.
The commissioner’s explanation also showed that the state’s current financial position cannot be assessed solely by looking at whether the Soludo administration has taken a new commercial loan.
The administration has maintained that it can finance its programmes through internally generated revenue and available public funds without resorting to fresh commercial borrowing.
The governor, a former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, has frequently emphasised fiscal discipline and the need to reduce the cost of servicing debt.Download Interactive Maps
Anambra had also featured prominently in previous debates over state borrowing during Obi’s tenure.
Obi had built a public reputation around conservative financial management and had repeatedly highlighted the savings and investments accumulated by his administration.
However, available debt records have shown that Anambra had outstanding obligations during and after his tenure, including external facilities.
The latest statement from the Soludo administration does not suggest that all the outstanding obligations were obtained directly from commercial banks.
Rather, Okafor pointed to loans and development facilities whose repayment arrangements remain active years after they were contracted.
He also disclosed that the government had recently cleared an obligation referred to as CAGS.
According to him, the repayment has provided additional financial space for the state government.
The commissioner said clearing such liabilities would allow more resources to be directed towards projects and other areas of government spending.Read Political News
No fewer than 15 people were killed in separate attacks by gunmen on communities in Jos South, Mangu and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State on Sunday night, with nine of the victims being passengers travelling to Jos.
The passengers were killed when suspected terrorists opened fire on their vehicle at Dungus community in Jos South Local Government Area, while other victims were killed in separate attacks in Mangu and Riyom.
Spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, who confirmed the Dungus attack to PUNCH Online via phone call in Jos on Monday, said the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on their vehicle.
He said, “The incident happened around 9.40 p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development, and we lament the loss of lives.”
According to him, some of the passengers sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospitals, where some later died.
“It was a vehicle carrying passengers to Jos. The attackers opened fire on them, and some of the victims were killed,” he said.
A resident of the community, Musa Dauda, also confirmed the attack, saying some of the injured passengers died while receiving treatment in hospital.
Dauda said, “Some of the passengers who were injured were taken to the hospital, but some of them died while receiving treatment. Others are still in the hospital receiving treatment.”
Meanwhile, in Mangu Local Government Area, suspected terrorists reportedly attacked Vodni in Pushit District during the night, killing two persons.
Four others sustained gunshot injuries in the attack and were receiving treatment at a hospital in Mangu town.
Also in Riyom Local Government Area, two persons were reportedly killed at Tahoos in a separate attack around the same period.
The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, and the Media Officer, Operation Enduring Peace, Chinonso Oteh, were yet to respond to enquiries sent by our correspondent on the incidents at the time of filing this report.
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