By Parrot Newspaper 
2027: APC Shuts Door on Automatic Tickets for Akpabio, Abbas, Others
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially denied granting automatic tickets to its members in the National Assembly for the 2027 general elections, following growing speculation fueled by media reports.
In a statement on Tuesday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka addressed the rumors, labeling them as “fake news” and urging party members and the general public to disregard the claim.
“The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to a purported Breaking News Report titled ‘APC Grants Automatic Tickets to All National Assembly Members,’ circulating widely. We urge all party members and the general public to disregard the report as fake and of mischievous origin,” Morka stated.
The clarification came after a report from Parrot Newspaper suggested rising tensions within the party over the issue of automatic tickets for lawmakers. Sources within the APC and its governors’ forum revealed that some state governors are firmly opposed to the idea, calling it problematic. These governors are expected to meet with APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje to discuss the matter further.
On the other hand, governors from the South West region, in particular, have expressed caution, noting that the idea of re-election for federal lawmakers had initially come from the presidential villa.
In a recent gathering of APC leaders from the North-central region, which endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, Ganduje mentioned that the party would support active lawmakers seeking re-election in 2027. He highlighted the importance of institutional memory in governance, questioning the high turnover rate of legislators and calling for advocacy to ensure the return of effective lawmakers.
“We should continue to thank our legislators for their support… Why are we having high turnover of our legislators? After four years, you find the person out. Can that encourage institutional memory?” Ganduje stated.
Imo State Governor and APC Governors’ Forum Chairman, Senator Hope Uzodimma, also weighed in, affirming that he would adhere to the party’s final stance on the matter. His chief press secretary, Hon. Oguwike Nwachuku, further emphasized that Uzodimma would follow the party’s decision regarding automatic tickets for federal legislators.
Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, APC leaders are pushing for unity in the face of potential defections from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Dr. Ita Udosen, a prominent APC figure in the South-South region, called on the party to avoid factionalism and focus on building a unified front.
Addressing a forum of APC stakeholders from the Uyo Senatorial District at the home of Senator Bassey Akpan, Udosen stressed that the party must be welcoming to new members, including potential defectors such as Governor Umo Eno.
“We are calling on party members to open the doors of the APC to incoming defectors, including, possibly, Governor Umo Eno,” Udosen stated. He added that the Uyo Senatorial District Stakeholders Forum (USDSF) was not a rival to the party structure, but rather a complement to it, designed to strengthen the APC’s base.
Senator Akpan, the host of the forum, endorsed the initiative, describing it as a unifying force within the district. He urged APC members to dismantle factionalism and work towards building a united party.
“This forum is the strongest political group in our senatorial district, made up of committed stakeholders. We must dismantle factionalism and build one united APC where everyone benefits meaningfully,” Akpan remarked.
Forum Chairman, Prof. Chris Ekong, highlighted the platform’s purpose of promoting unity and refocusing APC efforts in the Uyo district for greater political relevance.
2027: APC Shuts Door on Automatic Tickets
As the APC grapples with internal divisions and debates over the automatic ticket issue, all eyes will be on the party’s next steps as the 2027 general elections draw closer