The management of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has despatched a transparent sign to high-profile defectors forward of the 2027 common elections: there can be no “gold-plated” paths to re-election.
Therefore, high energy brokers throughout the ruling social gathering have formally dominated out the potential of granting automated tickets to governors who just lately crossed over from opposition ranks.
This determination immediately impacts a number of governors who’ve just lately sought refuge underneath the “broom” emblem.
Amongst these affected are Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, and Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
In response to data from sources reaching POLITICS NIGERIA, it signifies that the identical rule will apply to Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, whose official defection to the APC is broadly rumored to be imminent.
Furthermore, a outstanding member of the APC Nationwide Working Committee (NWC), talking on the situation of anonymity, clarified that becoming a member of the social gathering doesn’t confer an instantaneous proper to a return ticket.
The official emphasised that the APC is constructed on a basis of inside democracy and that each member, no matter their standing or the timing of their entry, should undergo the social gathering’s major processes.
Backing this stance, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, described the social gathering as a “progressive and democratic” establishment. He confused that the management is dedicated to making sure a stage taking part in discipline the place all members can train their rights with out worry of exclusion or favoritism.
“The problem of automated tickets just isn’t one thing that’s on the desk now, not only for Kano however for anyone,” Ibrahim said. He additional famous that even President Bola Tinubu, regardless of the large assist he enjoys throughout the social gathering, has not been handed an automated ticket.
Nonetheless, the mass exodus of governors from the Peoples Democratic Occasion (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Occasion (NNPP) has not gone and not using a sharp rebuke from their former camps. Nationwide Publicity Secretaries Ini Ememobong (PDP) and Oladipo Johnson (NNPP) have each dismissed the strikes as “egocentric” and “pushed by re-election fears.”
Ememobong argued that the defectors would quickly face disappointment, claiming the APC would proceed to deal with them as “outsiders.”
Equally, Johnson famous that the APC typically lures politicians with guarantees which are hardly ever fulfilled, leaving them “pissed off” when their political ambitions hit the brick wall of social gathering realities.
The wave of defections has seen a number of South-South and South-East governors transfer to the APC, together with Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Peter Mbah (Enugu). They be a part of a rising listing of Nationwide Meeting members and former ministers who declare their transfer is impressed by President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Nevertheless, the APC has maintained that whereas it welcomes new members, the “ticket” to steer have to be earned via the ballots of social gathering members.
In a associated improvement, the APC management just lately dismissed rumors relating to automated slots for Nationwide Meeting members, asserting that the choice course of for 2027 stays strictly open and aggressive.