A major rift is emerging within Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as governors battle President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje over plans to grant automatic return tickets to sitting National Assembly members in the 2027 elections.
Reports by Leadership reveal that at least two governors — one from the South East and another from the South West — are leading the charge against what they see as an attempt to manipulate the party’s internal democracy. The governors are reportedly mobilizing to kill the proposal in their states and plan to take their grievances to Ganduje after the Sallah holidays in Abuja.
“This is a fight for the soul of the APC,” a senior party official told reporters. “Some leaders think it’s an attempt to impose candidates and stifle internal competition.”
Sources say the automatic ticket plan, which Tinubu is said to support, is causing deep concern among APC governors who fear it will weaken the party’s credibility and alienate the grassroots.
The looming showdown could reshape the party’s 2027 election plans and threaten its unity. As party leaders brace for a stormy meeting in Abuja, all eyes are on whether Tinubu and Ganduje can find a way to bridge the growing divide.
