APC Lawmakers Battle Governors Over Alleged Breach of 2027 Ticket Agreement

According to report by Nigerian Tribune on Friday, April 24, 2026, tensions are mounting within the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the collapse of an alleged agreement between serving lawmakers and state governors ahead of the party’s National Assembly primaries.

The disagreement pits two influential blocs against each other, the APC caucus in the National Assembly and the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF).

According to party insiders, some senators, concerned about their political future, have appealed to the Presidency for intervention.

Many of them feel threatened by second-term governors who are reportedly positioning themselves to take over Senate seats, thereby jeopardizing the lawmakers’ chances of securing return tickets.

The situation escalated after the Senate leadership held a meeting with President Bola Tinubu earlier in the week.

Lawmakers expressed frustration, arguing that governors contesting for their seats violates an earlier understanding that incumbents would be given the opportunity to seek re-election without interference.

However, the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has repeatedly dismissed claims of automatic tickets, insisting that all aspirants must go through the primary process.

The party has scheduled its primaries for May, with National Assembly contests set for mid-month and governorship primaries shortly after.

The conflict is already evident in several states. In Ogun, Senator Gbenga Daniel is reportedly facing political isolation after Governor Dapo Abiodun secured strong backing as a consensus figure.

In Kwara, Senator Saliu Mustapha is locked in a fierce struggle with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who is said to be working against his ambitions while also eyeing his senatorial seat.

A similar standoff is unfolding in Ondo, where Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is believed to be at odds with certain federal lawmakers and may deny them tickets.

In response to the growing unrest, President Tinubu convened a closed-door meeting with several APC governors, aiming to resolve disputes and restore unity before the primaries.