A fresh wave of internal tension is brewing in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027.
The endorsement, spearheaded by Hope Uzodimma, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF); Senate President Godswill Akpabio; and APC National Chairman Umar Ganduje, has sparked growing expectations among lawmakers and party faithful that they too will be rewarded with automatic return tickets in upcoming elections.
However, party insiders warn that this rising expectation could undermine the APC’s internal democracy and provoke discontent, especially among long-time members and grassroots supporters.
In states such as Delta, where Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the state’s PDP structure recently defected to the APC, anxiety is mounting over how the party’s national leadership will handle candidate selection in the 2027 primaries.
At the center of the brewing crisis is a dilemma: Should the APC prioritize loyalty and absorb newcomers with automatic tickets, or should it protect the interests of “landlords”, the original party members who built the structure from the ground up?
Some defectors and National Assembly members have reportedly lobbied for automatic tickets, citing their contributions or recent support for President Tinubu.
However, long-standing members have pushed back, denying any agreement to impose candidates.
Amid the uncertainty, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, issued a strong rebuttal, calling reports of automatic tickets “fake news.”
“The report is fake news and should be disregarded in its entirety, as it did not emanate from our great party,” Morka stated.
He added that both members and the public should ignore the claims, describing them as “of mischievous origin.”
Despite the official denial, fears remain that internal lobbying could still result in behind-the-scenes assurances.
Critics point to past examples, including the 2019 and 2023 elections, where informal arrangements often contradicted the party’s public stance on free and fair primaries.
Party stakeholders argue that a candidate who has performed well should face no threat in an open primary.
Governors and aspirants alike are resisting any blanket endorsement of incumbents.
This growing friction is also triggering a power struggle between federal lawmakers and state governors, who traditionally wield significant control over local party structures.
In reaction to the unfolding situation, Prince Hilliard Eta, former APC National Vice Chairman (South-South), commended the party for dismissing automatic ticket reports.
“The President has been assessed and seen to have done a good job. So anybody seeking a second or third term must put their report card on the table for party members to evaluate. We know some of them have nothing to show for occupying their seats,” he said.
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) also weighed in, criticizing the APC’s handling of the issue.
In a statement signed by National Secretary Peter Ameh, CUPP said the APC’s public denial fails to address the broader democratic concerns.
“The truth remains that automatic tickets, in whatever form, are undemocratic and disenfranchise other party members from participating in free and fair primaries.”
“This practice undermines the democratic process and stifles the aspirations of many deserving party members,” the statement read.
CUPP also accused the APC of double standards, stating:
“We are not oblivious to the APC’s notorious practice of promising automatic tickets to defectors from other parties. This blatant double standard exposes the APC’s lack of commitment to democratic principles and fairness.”
“We call on the APC to stop deceiving the public and to uphold transparency and fairness in its internal processes. Nigerians deserve a political system that emphasizes merit, inclusivity, and genuine democratic participation—not one driven by underhanded deals and false promises.”
From the Labour Party, Tanko Yunusa, Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, issued a dire warning that the APC could be headed for an internal implosion due to its perceived lack of internal democracy and fairness.
Reacting to the controversy, Yunusa said “They know they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. That’s the beginning of the implosion that is bound to happen in that party.”
According to him, managing a politically diverse and ambitious group without clear democratic structures will lead to chaos:
“They’ve now taken in so many people with similar ambitions, and managing them is now a challenge. That’s why they need a multi-party democratic system, not the exclusive one-party dominance they’re attempting. It won’t work. It will destroy democracy.”
He also criticized the party’s early support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid:
“That is selfishness. That’s part of the implosion we are talking about.”
Defending Labour Party leadership, Yunusa said:
“Yes, you may say the same about Peter Obi, but he has always been open to competition. He never stops anyone from contesting in our party.”
