…as OUK, deputy speaker battle for APC leadership in Abia
The Senate has remained silent over claims that some “anointed” lawmakers may receive automatic return tickets ahead of the 2027 elections, despite mounting political reactions and behind-the-scenes discussions.
Several senators are believed to have been pencilled down by President Bola Tinubu for automatic tickets, with the majority leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, among those reportedly favoured.
The lawmakers are said to have been rewarded for allegedly “stabilising” the National Assembly since 2023.
The issue came to the fore on Monday, by Nasir Idris, the Governor of Kebbi State, popularly known as Kauran Gwandu, during an interaction with political stakeholders in the state.
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This revelation comes a few days after the president was said to have cancelled automatic tickets for lawmakers seeking a return to parliament in 2027.
According to the governor, other senators listed alongside Bamidele include Adamu Aliero (Kebbi-Central); Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara-West); Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia-North); Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi-North); Abdullahi Yahaya Abubakar (Kebbi-North); Idiat Oluranti Adebule (Lagos-West); Danjuma Goje (Gombe-Central); and Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos-East).
Explaining the rationale, Idris said the lawmakers demonstrated steady leadership by “fostering cooperation with the executive arm of government and ensuring the smooth passage of key policies and reforms”.
He added that their efforts had “significantly helped in stabilising the Senate and strengthening governance under the current administration”.
Despite the claims, there has been no official communication from the presidency or the All Progressives Congress confirming the development, further deepening uncertainty around the alleged arrangement.
However, efforts to get official confirmation from the Senate leadership yielded no response. Neither the leader’s office nor that of Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate spokesperson, addressed the claims as of press time.
Meanwhile, the development coincides with a growing leadership tussle within the APC in Abia State involving Orji Uzor Kalu, the senator representing Abia North, and Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
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Both men claimed on Monday that they had received the backing of Tinubu to coordinate party affairs in the state.
Orji Uzor Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, announced his position via a Facebook post, expressing appreciation to the president.
He wrote, “I sincerely thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence reposed in me and the marching order to coordinate activities in Abia State in respect of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
Kalu added, “As the most senior governor in the state, I am committed to working closely with all stakeholders, in line with the president’s directive, to ensure that the APC in Abia produces candidates who are widely acceptable, united in purpose, and well-positioned to secure victory in the state for the president’s re-election, while advancing the best interests of Abia State and Nigeria at large.”
On his part, the deputy speaker said the president gave a directive during a meeting on Friday that in states without APC governors, the “highest-ranking political office holder like the deputy speaker” should take charge of party structures.
He also thanked Tinubu for the recognition.
