The All Progressives Congress has ruled out the granting of automatic tickets to governors who recently defected to the ruling party, insisting that joining the APC does not confer special electoral privileges.
As reported by The PUNCH, a member of the party’s National Working Committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said defection from another political party does not guarantee an automatic ticket for any office, regardless of status.
Backing this position, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said the party remains democratic and progressive, adding that all members are entitled to equal rights and opportunities within the party.
Several governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have defected to the APC in recent months, including Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Agbu Kefas of Taraba State and Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
The APC leadership in Kano State has also indicated that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf may soon join the ruling party, further fueling political realignments ahead of the next general elections.
Beyond the governors, lawmakers at the federal and state levels, as well as former governors, ministers and party leaders, have also crossed over from the PDP to the APC, citing various reasons for their decisions.
While some Nigerians believe the defections are driven by the desire to secure re-election, an APC NWC member dismissed the claim, attributing the movement into the party to the achievements of President Bola Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He recalled that the APC had earlier stated that even President Tinubu would not be handed an automatic ticket, despite endorsements from party organs, noting that the presidential race would remain open to all qualified members.
According to him, the same principle applies to all governors, whether old or new members of the party, stressing that candidates must emerge through party primaries and earn the support of members.
The APC chieftain said performance in office would be a major consideration, but ultimate decisions would rest with party members during the primaries.
Speaking further, Ibrahim said automatic tickets were not being considered for any governor or holder of elective office, insisting that the party would guarantee a level playing field for all aspirants.
He explained that while the party may adopt consensus where acceptable to stakeholders, it would not prevent any member from contesting for elective positions.
Efforts to reach the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Reacting, the Peoples Democratic Party said the development was expected, describing the defections as selfish and not in the interest of the affected states.
The PDP Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said many of the governors would eventually regret leaving the opposition party, claiming they would be treated as outsiders within the APC.
Similarly, the New Nigeria Peoples Party said it was not surprised by the APC’s position, alleging that defecting governors were lured with promises that may not be fulfilled.
The NNPP Publicity Secretary, Oladipo Johnson, said there was no assurance that defectors would secure second-term tickets in the ruling party.