President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly declined a request by serving senators seeking automatic return tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that state governors retain decisive authority in candidate selection.
The development followed a high-level meeting between the President and the leadership of the Nigerian Senate at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The delegation, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, met with the President shortly after plenary was adjourned following a closed-door executive session.
Although details of the meeting were not officially disclosed, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele confirmed that “far-reaching decisions” were taken on matters of urgent national importance.
Sources, however, revealed that the lawmakers had lobbied for automatic tickets to secure their return to the National Assembly without facing internal party primaries.
According to insiders, President Tinubu rejected the proposal, emphasising that governors remain the key power brokers within party structures at the state level.
“He told them plainly that governors are the leaders of the party in their states and must have a say on who gets the ticket,” a source familiar with the meeting disclosed.
The President’s stance underscores his commitment to maintaining existing party dynamics, where state governors play a central role in determining candidates for elective positions.
The decision is expected to shape political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
By rejecting automatic tickets, the President has effectively signalled that incumbency alone will not guarantee renomination, reinforcing the importance of internal party processes and state-level influence.
The development highlights ongoing power negotiations within Nigeria’s political landscape as stakeholders position themselves for the next electoral cycle.
