News

Automatic Ticket: Tinubu Leaves Lawmakers’ Fate In Govs’ Hands

Published

3 months ago

April 24, 2026

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.

News

BREAKING: Governor Seyi Makinde Acquires Two Aircraft For Security Surveillance

Published

11 hours ago

July 28, 2026

The Daily Voice

The Oyo State Government has taken delivery of the two long-awaited security surveillance aircraft.

The two aircraft, which arrived at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, on Tuesday, are expected to support aerial surveillance, intelligence collection and rapid security response across Oyo State and adjoining areas.

In a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, the state capital, on Tuesday, said, “The arrival of the aircraft marks another step in the state’s efforts to strengthen security operations through improved intelligence gathering and aerial surveillance.

“Governor Seyi Makinde had, on July 18, 2026, confirmed that the aircraft arrived in Nigeria and were undergoing reassembly at the Nigerian Air Force’s hangar in Lagos.

“The State Government had, about a week earlier, assured residents that the aircraft would arrive in Oyo before the end of July, adding that the latest development fulfilled that commitment.

“The aircraft are expected to support security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps and other relevant formations, in monitoring criminal activities and improving response efforts across the state.”
The commissioner also noted that Makinde is on hand to receive the two aircraft at the airport.

PUNCH Online reports that the State Government announced the purchase of the two surveillance aircraft on July 8, 2025, as part of measures aimed at enhancing the capacity of security agencies to tackle emerging security challenges across the state.

The arrival of the aircraft comes months after Governor Seyi Makinde announced plans by his administration to acquire modern aerial surveillance platforms to bolster ongoing efforts aimed at tackling insecurity, including kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities.

News

Accord Party Rejects Gov Adeleke, Adopts APC Candidate For Osun Elections

Published

2 days ago

July 27, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

‎The factional National Chairman of the Accord Party, Prof. Chris Imumolen, has reaffirmed the party’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration and endorsed his re-election bid, while insisting that the decision does not amount to a merger with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

‎‎Imumolen also announced that Accord had resolved to support the APC governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

‎‎The Accord chairman said the party’s support for Tinubu was based on its assessment of the administration’s economic reforms and efforts towards national development.

‎‎“Our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is based on our conviction that Nigeria’s progress requires continuity in policies that strengthen our economy, deepen reforms, and promote national stability.

‎‎“We have therefore endorsed his re-election because we believe it is in the best interest of our country,” Imumolen said.

The party chairman, however, cautioned against interpreting the endorsement as evidence that Accord had surrendered its political identity or merged with another party.

‎‎“Let me state this clearly: the party’s endorsement of President Tinubu does not amount to the dissolution of the Accord Party or its merger with any political platform.

‎‎“Accord remains an independent political party with its own constitution, leadership, ideology, and vision for Nigeria,” he said.

‎‎Imumolen maintained that the party would continue to take independent positions on political and governance issues despite its support for Tinubu. ‎On the Osun State governorship election, the party said it had taken a strategic decision to adopt Oyebamiji, the APC candidate. ‎Imumolen said the decision followed consultations and an assessment of the political situation in the state.

‎‎“After careful consultations and a thorough assessment of the political realities in Osun State, the Accord Party has resolved to adopt and support the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

‎‎“This strategic decision is driven solely by our commitment to ensuring competent leadership and sustainable development for the people of Osun State,” he stated.

‎‎Accord urged members of the public, the media and political stakeholders to distinguish between its endorsement of Tinubu at the national level and its alliance with the APC candidate in Osun State. The party said suggestions that it had ceased to operate independently were inaccurate and misleading.

‎‎It added that it remained committed to democratic principles, national unity and issue-based politics, stressing that its political decisions would continue to be guided by what it considered the best interests of Nigerians.

‎‎Naija News reports that the Accord Party faction loyal to Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier endorsed President Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

‎The party chairman, however, cautioned against interpreting the endorsement as evidence that Accord had surrendered its political identity or merged with another party.

‎‎“Let me state this clearly: the party’s endorsement of President Tinubu does not amount to the dissolution of the Accord Party or its merger with any political platform.

‎‎“Accord remains an independent political party with its own constitution, leadership, ideology, and vision for Nigeria,” he said.

‎‎Imumolen said the decision followed consultations and an assessment of the political situation in the state.

‎After careful consultations and a thorough assessment of the political realities in Osun State, the Accord Party has resolved to adopt and support the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

‎“This strategic decision is driven solely by our commitment to ensuring competent leadership and sustainable development for the people of Osun State,” he stated.

‎Accord urged members of the public, the media and political stakeholders to distinguish between its endorsement of Tinubu at the national level and its alliance with the APC candidate in Osun State.

‎‎The party said suggestions that it had ceased to operate independently were inaccurate and misleading.

Daily voice reports that the Accord Party faction loyal to Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier endorsed President Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

‎

News

Accord Party, Adeleke Adopt Tinubu As 2027 Presidential Candidate

Published

2 days ago

July 27, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

President Bola Tinubu has been adopted as the preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 election by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and the national leadership of the Accord Party. The decision was reached during a meeting held on Saturday night in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The gathering brought together top officials of the party from across the country, including members of the National Working Committee and state chairmen.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by Adeleke’s re-election campaign spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, discussions at the meeting focused on the future of the party, national development issues and preparations ahead of the forthcoming Osun governorship election.

Party leaders said their support for Tinubu was influenced by the need for continuity in ongoing infrastructure projects being executed by the Federal Government.

They stressed that major road projects across the country should be completed without interruption.

Among the projects highlighted were the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway.

The party leadership maintained that continuity would help ensure the successful delivery of the projects and their expected economic benefits.

The meeting also reviewed the political atmosphere ahead of the August governorship election in Osun State. Leaders of the party called for a peaceful electoral process and urged all stakeholders to avoid actions capable of undermining the credibility of the poll.

They warned against violence, intimidation of political opponents, electoral malpractice and the alleged use of security agencies to harass members of the party during the election period.

The party further appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and other relevant institutions to ensure a level playing field for all contestants.

Several national officers attended the meeting. They included the National Chairman of the Accord Party, Maxwell Mgbudem; Deputy National Chairman, Maryam Sale; National Secretary, Ajaja Abiola Adebukola; National Treasurer, Abdulazeez Oyeniyi Salaudeen; National Organising Secretary, Ibe Thankgod; and National Publicity Secretary, Omorogbe Joseph.Political communication services

Also present were state chairmen and other senior party officials drawn from different parts of the country.

The endorsement marks another significant political development in the growing relationship between Adeleke and the Accord Party following the governor’s alignment with the platform ahead of the Osun governorship election.

Party leaders at the meeting expressed confidence in Adeleke’s chances in the forthcoming poll and pledged to mobilise support structures across the state to secure victory.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the party nationwide while positioning it for future political contests. Moreover, Governor Ademola Adeleke publicly reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition on several occasions. He described the move as being in the interest of Osun State and the South-West region. Leadership development programs

Speaking on May this year, during an inspection of the ongoing reconstruction work on the Ibadan-Ile Ife-Ilesa Expressway, Adeleke said his support for the President went beyond partisan politics.

The governor described Tinubu as “our own son, father and leader,” insisting that he needed no persuasion to back the President’s re-election bid.

“I am the governor of the ancestral birthplace of Mr President. How can I have my own in the saddle and think twice before embracing him? I need no persuasion to act as I have declared repeatedly our endorsement of Mr President,” Adeleke said.

He added that the endorsement was a “moral and development-driven action” aimed at advancing the interests of Osun State and the Yoruba people.

The governor maintained that supporting Tinubu would help sustain ongoing federal projects and strengthen cooperation between Osun State and the Federal Government.

The position was again repeated on June, when Adeleke formally flagged off his re-election campaign in Osogbo.

Addressing supporters at the event, he declared: “As we seek your votes on August 15, we also restate our endorsement of our son, father and leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for re-election in 2027. Our support for Mr President is unshaken and total.”