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Automatic ticket: Tinubu leaves lawmakers’ fate in govs’ hands

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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.

“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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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SEE FULL LIST: Lagos, Rivers, 10 other states Tinubu may join APC rallies

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The All Progressives Congress has outlined a proposed nationwide campaign rally schedule covering the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The proposed campaign is scheduled to kick off in Kaduna on October 24, 2026, and conclude with a grand rally in Lagos on January 9, 2027.

The itinerary identifies 12 strategic locations where President Bola Tinubu is expected to join the party’s presidential campaign activities, with rallies planned across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Here is the full list of the 12 states proposed for Tinubu’s presidential campaign appearances.

According to the proposed schedule, the 12 locations and dates are as follows:

1. Kaduna, Kaduna State — October 24, 2026 (Saturday)
2. Port Harcourt, Rivers State — November 7, 2026 (Saturday)
3. Jos, Plateau State — November 14, 2026 (Saturday)
4. Ibadan, Oyo State — November 21, 2026 (Saturday)
5. Maiduguri, Borno State — November 25, 2026 (Wednesday)
6. Enugu, Enugu State — November 28, 2026 (Saturday)
7. Bauchi, Bauchi State — November 29, 2026 (Sunday)
8. Sokoto, Sokoto State — December 4, 2026 (Friday)
9. Asaba, Delta State — December 12, 2026 (Saturday)
10. Kano, Kano State — December 17, 2026 (Thursday)
11. Yola, Adamawa State — January 4, 2027 (Monday)
12. Lagos, Lagos State — January 9, 2027 (Saturday)

Kaduna to Host Opening Rally

Kaduna is listed as the starting point of the proposed nationwide campaign tour, with the opening rally scheduled for October 24, 2026.

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From Kaduna, the campaign is expected to move to Port Harcourt in Rivers State on November 7, followed by Jos in Plateau State on November 14 and Ibadan in Oyo State on November 21.

The itinerary then lists Maiduguri, Borno State, for November 25, before moving to Enugu on November 28 and Bauchi on November 29.

December Rallies Across Four States

The proposed schedule continues into December with rallies in Sokoto on December 4, Asaba in Delta State on December 12 and Kano on December 17.

The campaign is then scheduled to resume in January 2027, with Yola in Adamawa State listed for January 4.

Lagos to Host Grand Finale

Lagos State is designated as the venue for the proposed grand finale on January 9, 2027.

The rally would mark the scheduled conclusion of the nationwide campaign itinerary, following the opening event in Kaduna in October 2026.

The proposed schedule covers 12 locations across different regions of the country as the APC prepares for the 2027 general elections.

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Dave Umahi inaugurates APC infrastructure campaign team ahead of 2027 elections

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The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has inaugurated members of the Office of the Deputy Director-General, Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 elections.

Umahi, who serves as DDG, Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation for the council, said the team would identify, document and publicise infrastructure projects being executed by the Federal Government across the country.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting in Abuja on Thursday, he said the initiative was aimed at strengthening coordination, infrastructure communication, mobilisation and public sensitisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“The team’s primary responsibility is to identify, document, compile, and publicise infrastructure projects the Federal Government is executing across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“Although the Federal Ministry of Works accounts for a significant proportion of the Federal Government’s infrastructure investments, the team’s coverage should extend to other MDAs.

“This is to ensure a comprehensive account of infrastructure development across the six geopolitical zones of the country.”

Umahi said the Senior Special Assistants to the President (SSA-P) on Community Engagement for the six geopolitical zones who also appointed as Zonal Coordinators, other members of the ODDG, alongside the Secretary, should work collaboratively.

This, he said, was to identify and document relevant infrastructure projects within their respective zones.

He emphasised that the compilation should cover projects executed by the Federal Ministry of Works, as well as infrastructure initiatives undertaken by other MDAs.

He said this was to provide a comprehensive overview of infrastructure investments and the developmental strides of the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Tinubu, across the length and breadth of the country.

The minister clarified that existing publicity activities between the Ministry of Works and the senior special assistants would continue.

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He added that the new office would provide a broader framework for coordinating information on infrastructure projects undertaken by other MDAs at zonal, sub-national and national levels.

According to him, accurate documentation and effective communication will make information on government infrastructure investments more accessible to Nigerians.

Umahi described infrastructure development as a key driver of economic growth, national development and community integration.

“Infrastructure investment stimulates economic activities, connects communities, creates opportunities and supports the growth of other sectors of the economy,” he said.

He also highlighted the Federal Government’s adoption of continuous reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) technology in road construction, saying it would reduce dependence on imported bitumen and promote the use of local resources and expertise.

The minister said the technology would support local economic activities, reduce foreign exchange demand associated with imported road construction material and promote more durable infrastructure delivery.

He urged members of the office to ensure that information on infrastructure projects was accurately compiled and effectively disseminated to the public.

NAN

Source: punchng.com

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INEC begins early logistics planning for 2027 elections

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has inaugurated a multi-agency electoral logistics committee for the 2027 general elections, warning that no Nigerian should be disenfranchised because of delays in the arrival of election materials.

The commission also charged the National Orientation Agency to intensify grassroots mobilisation against voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence ahead of the elections scheduled for January 16 and February 6, 2027.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), gave the charge on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of the committee and the flag-off of the NOA’s nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign.

Amupitan said the logistics committee would strengthen the commission’s operational capacity and ensure the timely deployment of personnel and election materials across the country.

He said the decision to adopt a multi-agency approach was informed by the complexities of transporting election materials across Nigeria’s diverse geographical terrain.

“Today’s inauguration of the Electoral Logistics Committee marks a proactive step in ensuring that the 2027 General Election is defined by seamless execution and operational excellence,” the INEC chairman said.

He named a National Commissioner, Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa (retd.), as chairperson of the committee, which comprises representatives of security agencies, transport unions and relevant government institutions.

Amupitan said the credibility of an election depended significantly on whether voters found their polling units open, equipped and ready at the appointed time.

“Election logistics involve the intricate movement of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials by land, sea and air. It requires precision, security and timeliness. This is why we are starting early,” he said.

The committee is expected to assess the commission’s logistics requirements, develop a comprehensive plan for storing, distributing, deploying and retrieving election materials, and audit the readiness of warehouses, vehicles, airports and seaports.

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It will also identify operational gaps, recommend corrective measures, monitor compliance with approved logistics schedules and develop strategies to address transportation bottlenecks, shortages and security threats.

Other responsibilities include coordinating the secure movement of materials through road, air and maritime channels, liaising with government agencies and transport unions, and submitting periodic reports to the commission.

Amupitan said Nigeria’s geographical diversity required a flexible and resilient logistics framework capable of addressing weather conditions, difficult terrain and security challenges.

“We must anticipate the weather, the terrain and the security environment to ensure that no Nigerian is disenfranchised due to late arrival of materials,” he said.

He described preparations for the 2027 elections as “a marathon, not a sprint,” adding that early planning was necessary to deliver a transparent, efficient and credible electoral process.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, Malafa said its mandate included reviewing previous elections, identifying operational weaknesses and developing strategies to ensure the timely deployment of personnel and materials.

She said the committee would focus on airlift operations, cargo handling, land and maritime transportation, storage facilities and security arrangements.

According to her, the committee would also map difficult terrain, security-challenged areas and crisis-prone locations to enable the development of customised transportation and security arrangements.

Malafa said the committee could establish specialised subcommittees to handle airlift, land transportation, maritime transportation, storage and security operations.

She stressed that effective coordination among participating agencies would be essential to achieving the committee’s objectives.

Meanwhile, at the flag-off of the NOA’s nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign, Amupitan charged the agency’s leadership and field officers to take voter education messages to communities across the country.

He urged the officials to extend the campaign to traditional palaces, markets, places of worship, campuses and village squares in all 774 local government areas.

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The INEC chairman identified voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence as major threats to the credibility of the 2027 elections.

On voter apathy, he said citizens who failed to vote surrendered their democratic power to others, urging Nigerians to verify their registration status, collect their Permanent Voter Cards and participate peacefully in the elections.

“Do not wait until election week to get involved. Check your registration status, collect your PVCs now, stay informed, come out on Election Day, vote peacefully according to your conscience, and protect your community from violence,” he said.

Amupitan assured voters that their ballots would be accurately counted and reflected in the final results, citing the commission’s use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing portal.

He also condemned vote buying, describing it as an attack on constitutional democracy.

The chairman said INEC had reconfigured polling unit layouts to protect ballot secrecy and prevent voters from displaying their marked ballots to party agents or individuals attempting to influence their choices with money.

He added that the commission was working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and other security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to monitor financial activities around polling units and apprehend those involved in vote buying.

On electoral violence, Amupitan warned political actors against resorting to violence, hate speech and other actions capable of undermining peaceful participation.

“No political ambition justifies the shedding of blood or the destruction of property,” he said.

He also raised concerns about the use of artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes to incite ethnic and religious conflict, urging political parties, candidates and youth groups to embrace peace and resolve electoral disputes through lawful channels.

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The INEC chairman further called on political parties to campaign on issues rather than resort to hate speech or vote buying, while urging civil society organisations and the media to fact-check viral claims and promote accurate electoral information.

In his remarks, the Director-General of the NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the campaign would be implemented through the agency’s directorates in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers in the 774 local government areas.

He said the campaign would be non-partisan and would use community dialogues, local-language communication, radio discussions, drama, audio messages and digital platforms to reach Nigerians.

Issa-Onilu said voter apathy reduced public participation, vote buying undermined freedom of choice, while electoral violence threatened lives and damaged relationships within communities.

“No political ambition should cost a Nigerian life. No disagreement should destroy the bonds between neighbours. No temporary inducement should determine a citizen’s choice about our collective future,” he said.

The NOA director-general called for continued technical collaboration with INEC, including timely access to verified voter education materials and coordination across national, state and local structures.

He said the campaign, themed “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Future: Say No to Apathy, Vote Buying and Violence. Let’s Build a United Nigeria in 2027”, was designed to encourage greater citizen participation and peaceful elections.

The event was attended by INEC national commissioners, representatives of security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, and representatives of youth, women and persons with disabilities.

Source: punchng.com

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