As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for its National Assembly primaries on Friday, no fewer than 188 serving members of the 10th National Assembly may return in 2027.
Party insiders described the move as part of President Bola Tinubu’s consolidation strategy ahead of the general elections. The lawmakers reportedly include 48 senators and 140 members of the House of Representatives.
Sources within the APC said governors of affected states had been informed through “backdoor channels.” Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas were said to have recommended the lawmakers.
Calls to their aides were unanswered, but both leaders had earlier met Tinubu on April 22 to seek automatic tickets for incumbents.
Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele confirmed the meeting, saying “far‑reaching decisions were taken at this strategic meeting.”
Special Adviser to the President, Bayo Onanuga, also described it as a consultation with the extended Senate leadership.
Strategy To Reduce Turnover
Tinubu later met APC governors, with Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago revealing that governors were empowered to drive the primary process.
The arrangement has sparked some pushback in Benue, Ondo, and Ogun, where governors and lawmakers are at odds over tickets.
Party insiders said the plan aims to reduce high turnover in the National Assembly and strengthen APC’s base.
“The legislature also needs experienced hands. What the presidency appears to have done is conduct a discreet assessment of lawmakers to avoid excessive turnover,” a senior source explained.
Reports suggest 15 of 20 APC House members from Lagos will retain seats, alongside all eight from Oyo and seven from Ogun. Ondo will return seven House members plus Senators Jide Ipinsagba and Adeniyi Adegbonmire.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s preferred candidate for Ondo South, Isaac Kekemeke, was excluded, leaving the seat’s successor uncertain.
The president is hoping to tighten his grip on the party and parliament if he wins a second term in office to push his agenda with little or no opposition.
Opposition politicians have long accused the president of clandestine push to create a one-party system in Nigeria. Others have gone as far as suggesting the president harbors the dream of being a life president.
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