APC Rejects Automatic Tickets, Orders Lawmakers to Seek Stakeholder Backing Ahead of 2026 Primaries
….Party leadership insists on competitive process as divisions emerge over proposed concessions for incumbents
Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved to quash growing agitation for automatic tickets for serving federal lawmakers, signaling a firm commitment to competitive primaries as preparations gather pace for the 2026 electoral cycle.
The decision effectively halts efforts by some members of the National Assembly who had pushed for guaranteed return tickets as a strategy to preserve legislative continuity.
According to multiple national media reports, the proposal failed to gain traction within the party’s top hierarchy, including the Presidency.
Advocates of the plan had argued that automatic tickets would strengthen institutional memory in parliament, but critics within the APC countered that such a move would undermine democratic principles and alienate grassroots party members.
The debate has exposed internal divisions within the ruling party.
While some lawmakers backed the proposal, influential stakeholders rejected it outright, warning that it could erode internal democracy and create perceptions of entitlement among incumbents.
Reports indicate that the party leadership has opted for further consultations rather than adopting any policy that could sideline the established primary election process.
A decisive moment came during a recent meeting between the APC National Chairman and members of the National Assembly caucus, where a clear directive was issued.
Lawmakers seeking re-election were instructed to return to their respective states and consult widely with governors and local political structures.
The message underscored the pivotal role of state-level leadership in determining candidate emergence, reaffirming the party’s decentralized power dynamics.
The move is widely seen as part of broader efforts to safeguard party cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Insiders warn that imposing automatic tickets could trigger internal dissent, weaken accountability, and damage the APC’s public image at a critical political juncture.
By insisting on open competition, the party aims to reinforce legitimacy and ensure that candidates emerge through widely accepted processes.
The position is also consistent with the governing approach of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose stance has been interpreted as favoring due process and inclusiveness over preferential treatment.
Observers say this reflects a strategic calculation to maintain unity within the party while avoiding controversies that could arise from perceived imposition of candidates.
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With the leadership’s position now unmistakable, all aspirants, including incumbents, are expected to test their popularity through the primaries.
The APC’s message is clear: no automatic tickets will be granted, and every candidate must secure legitimacy through engagement with party members and stakeholders.
As a result, the 2026 primaries are shaping up to be fiercely contested, setting the stage for a political process that the party insists will reflect the will of its grassroots rather than the advantage of incumbency.
