NASS Members Jittery as Governors Move to Dictate Candidates, Block Rivals, Hijack APC Tickets

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has quietly altered its 2027 election timetable after internal concerns that governors were moving to dominate the nomination process, particularly for National Assembly seats.

At the center of the controversy was an alleged plan by governors, operating through the Progressive Governors’ Forum, to purchase nomination forms in bulk.

The strategy would have allowed them to distribute forms to loyal aspirants and effectively screen out unwanted contenders.

This move was seen as a direct attempt to capture the party’s ticketing process, especially for Senate and House of Representatives races, where governors are keen to install allies or block rivals.

In response, the APC inserted official payment account details into its revised timetable, forcing aspirants to buy forms individually.

The adjustment was designed to prevent any centralized control of form distribution by governors.

The issue gained more weight after Bola Tinubu reportedly granted governors broad authority over primaries, allowing them to determine candidates through consensus or other approved methods.

This effectively places governors at the center of candidate selection, giving them leverage not only over state-level races but also over who emerges at the federal legislative level.

For members of the National Assembly, the development has triggered widespread anxiety.

Many lawmakers had expected automatic tickets as a reward for loyalty but now face uncertain primaries controlled by governors.

Efforts by federal lawmakers to secure guaranteed return tickets were unsuccessful, leaving them exposed to what some describe as a “governor-controlled filter” that could decide their political future.

The situation is further complicated by existing political rifts in several states, where governors and lawmakers are already at odds. With governors now empowered, those tensions could translate into denied tickets and forced exits.

As a result, intense lobbying has begun within the party, with some lawmakers exploring fallback options, including defection.

The unfolding struggle reflects a deeper contest for control within the APC, one where governors are consolidating power while federal legislators fight to retain relevance.