Top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have ruled out the granting of automatic tickets to governors, including Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who joined the party recently, as well as Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who is expected to join soon.
A member of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the issue, explained that defection from another political party to the APC does not guarantee an automatic ticket.
Supporting this position, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, described the ruling party as democratic and progressive, stressing that all members would be allowed to fully enjoy and exercise their rights.
Reacting, the National Publicity Secretaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ini Ememobong, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Oladipo Johnson, said the development was expected, adding that the governors involved had made the wrong decisions.
Among the PDP governors who have defected to the APC are Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State (South-South), Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State (South-South), Peter Mbah of Enugu State (South-East), Agbu Kefas of Taraba State (North-East), and, most recently, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State (South-South).
The APC leadership in Kano State has also indicated that the defection of the state governor is imminent.
Beyond the governors, several other prominent politicians—including members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, as well as former governors, former ministers, and other party leaders—have also defected from the PDP to the APC.
Although the defectors have given various reasons for joining the ruling party, some Nigerians argue that the real motive is to secure re-election to their respective offices.
Reacting, a member of the APC National Working Committee said the defections were driven by President Bola Tinubu’s numerous achievements, noting that it would ultimately be up to the people to decide on their re-election.
He said, “I believe it is wrong to assume that people are defecting solely to secure re-election. Many of those joining the All Progressives Congress are doing so because of the achievements of President Bola Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is delivering positive results across various aspects of national life.
“That said, it is important to recall that the APC, sometime last year, clearly stated its position and made it known that even the President would not be granted an automatic ticket, despite enjoying overwhelming support from the National Working Committee, members of the NEC, zonal leadership, and governors who have publicly declared their support should he choose to run again. However, this does not limit the contest solely to President Tinubu. The party has made it clear that the process will be open to any Nigerian who is a member of the APC and wishes to contest for the office of President.
“This same principle applies to all governors, whether they have been long-standing members of the party or recent entrants, including the governors of Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers states, and others. There will be no automatic tickets for any of them. They must contest and earn their tickets through the party’s democratic process. Their achievements in their respective states will be a major factor, as it is the party members who will ultimately decide who flies the APC flag.
