The Presidency has quietly endorsed automatic return tickets for a select group of federal lawmakers on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, authoritative sources have revealed.
The strategic move, according to party insiders, is designed to consolidate the APC’s grip on the National Assembly while rewarding loyalty, legislative experience, and political stability.
A senior Presidency source, speaking anonymously due to lack of authorisation to comment publicly, confirmed that the list includes principal officers, ranking senators, and representatives regarded as “high-performing and dependable allies” of the administration.
The arrangement spans several states and geopolitical zones, aimed at averting internal discord and strengthening cohesion ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested electoral cycle.
Nineteen senators have so far been confirmed for automatic tickets, alongside 102 members of the House of Representatives. Their names have been forwarded to the APC National Chairman, Netanwe Yiwaltda, for approval.
Among the top lawmakers favoured are Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau; Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele; Abdulaziz Yari; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Senatorial beneficiaries include Tokunbo Abiru and Sanni Eshinlokun (Lagos); Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North); Kawu Sumaila (Kano South); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); Adamu Aliero and Abdullahi Yahaya (Kebbi); Mustapha Saliu and Oyelola Yisa Ashiru (Kwara); Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti); Sunday Katung (Kaduna); Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (Katsina); Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger East); and Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central).
The source dismissed concerns about term limits, citing long-serving lawmakers such as Ahmad Lawan (in the National Assembly since 1999) and Ali Ndume (since 2003) as precedents.
In the House of Representatives, Niger and Oyo States have five automatic tickets each, with 102 members approved nationwide. Beneficiaries include, from Kwara: Ismail Semo, Imam Ahmed Adekunle, Aweda Olatunde Emmanuel, Abubakar Fatima Jemeelah, and Olatunji Dare Emmanuel. From Kaduna: Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Abdulkarim Ahmed, Abdullahi Ango, Aliyu Abdullahi, Amos Daniel, Jallo Mohammed, Mukhtar Munir Mohammed, and Usman Zubairu. From Kano: Abubakar Kabir Abubakar and Sani Abdulraheem. From Ondo: Timehin Adelegbe and Festus Adefiranye. From Oyo: Akin Alabi, Tajudeen Abisodun Were, Olamiju Alao-Akala, and Lafisoye Akinmoyede. From Lagos: Babajide Obanikoro, Wale Raji, Lanre Ogunyemi, Oyewo Olanrewaju, Adewale Temitope, Ibrahim Ayokunle, and Taofeek Abiodun.
Notably, the Presidency is also weighing the political futures of several second-term APC governors who are positioning themselves for senatorial seats after completing their tenures.
“The party wants tested hands, loyal men, and those who understand governance and legislative stability,” the source said. “Many have stood firmly with the administration at critical moments.”
Political observers suggest the unfolding permutations indicate that the battle for 2027 has begun earlier than expected, with strategic alignments already taking shape. Supporters of the plan argue that rewarding experienced lawmakers will ensure governance continuity and help the President consolidate gains from the Renewed Hope Agenda before and after the elections.
