Ahead of the 2027 general elections, uncertainty has gripped the camp of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other high-profile defectors, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) has explicitly ruled out automatic candidacy for governors who recently defected from opposition parties.
Top party leaders have clarified that no “gold-plated” or automatic tickets will be granted to defecting governors seeking re-election under the APC banner. This development directly affects Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), among others. Additionally, speculation around Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s imminent defection to the APC is met with the same firm stance on electoral competition.
A senior member of the APC National Working Committee, speaking anonymously, emphasized that the party’s internal democracy requires all members—regardless of status or entry timing—to participate in primaries to earn candidacy. APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, reiterated that the party is “progressive and democratic,” underscoring its commitment to a level playing field. He added, “The issue of automatic tickets is not on the table—not for Kano nor anybody else. Even President Bola Tinubu has not been granted an automatic ticket.”
This announcement has sparked mixed reactions. Former parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have criticized the defections as opportunistic moves driven by fears over re-election. PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong dismissed the defectors’ prospects, warning they would remain “outsiders” within the APC, while NNPP’s Oladipo Johnson accused the APC of luring politicians with empty promises.
The wave of defections includes prominent governors from the South-South and South-East regions, such as Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Peter Mbah (Enugu), alongside various national assembly members and ex-ministers, all citing President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” as motivation.
Despite welcoming new members, the APC insists that candidacy slots will be won strictly through party primaries. Recently, party leadership also dismissed rumors of automatic National Assembly ticket guarantees, reaffirming that the 2027 selection process will remain open and highly competitive.
This firm stance by the APC leadership signals a turning point in Nigeria’s political landscape, emphasizing internal democracy over preferential treatment, even as defectors await their fate in the upcoming primaries.
