The leadership of the All Progressives Congress has ruled out automatic tickets for governors who recently joined the party or plan to do so.
This decision affects several sitting governors across different regions of the country.
Governors impacted by the policy include Akwa Ibom’s Umo Eno, Taraba’s Agbu Kefas, Rivers’ Siminalayi Fubara, and Delta’s Sheriff Oborevwori.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is also affected, as his defection is widely anticipated.
A member of the APC National Working Committee stated that joining the party does not automatically secure an election ticket.
The official explained that every aspirant must pass through the party’s internal democratic process.
The source stressed that the APC does not offer special privileges based on political defection or status.
The party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, described the APC as a democratic organisation where all members enjoy equal rights. He said no individual, regardless of position, would bypass party procedures.
According to him, the principle applies equally to governors, lawmakers, and even the President.
Ibrahim revealed that President Bola Tinubu himself has not been promised an automatic ticket.
Instead, the party only passed a vote of confidence in his leadership, should he decide to seek re-election in 2027.
He added that the vote of confidence does not prevent other party members from contesting.
The APC leadership maintained that all governors must earn their tickets through primaries.
Their performance in office will be assessed by party members during the selection process.
Party officials insisted that tickets would not be handed out simply because someone is a sitting governor.
The party noted that its growing membership makes equal opportunity necessary.
New members are joining regularly, and all are free to aspire to any position.
Where consensus is possible, the party may adopt it to avoid internal conflict.
The Peoples Democratic Party criticised the governors’ decision to defect, calling it selfish and harmful to their states.
The PDP warned that many of the defectors would soon regret their move.
According to the party, the APC does not prioritise loyalty to new members.
PDP spokesman Ini Ememobong said the governors abandoned their original party for personal gain.
He claimed they would be treated as outsiders within the APC.
He added that their supporters may eventually question their decisions.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party also reacted, saying it was not surprised by the APC’s stance. Its spokesman argued that the ruling party often attracts politicians with promises that are rarely fulfilled.
He warned that defecting governors may find it difficult to secure future tickets.
Attempts to contact the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, were unsuccessful.
His phone remained switched off at the time of filing this report.
