2027: Tinubu Rejects NASS’ Demand for Automatic Return Tickets

News Update

The details of a closed-door meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Senate leaders have emerged.

The meeting held on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, shortly after the Senate ended its plenary session.

The delegation was led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alongside other members of the Senate leadership.

Information from a source within the National Assembly told Newsmen that the lawmakers had approached the president to request automatic return tickets, which would allow them to contest the next elections without facing party primaries.

The senators argued that such an arrangement would help maintain continuity in the legislature and avoid internal party conflicts.

But the president rejected the request.

Tinubu insisted that state governors must continue to play a leading role in deciding who gets party tickets in their states.

He made it clear that the governors remain in charge of party structures at that level and should have the final say on candidates.

“The meeting was to plead for automatic tickets for senators but President Tinubu insisted that the governor of each state has the influence over candidates.

“They made a case for continuity and stability and argued for automatic tickets but the President was very clear in his response.

“He told them plainly that governors are the leaders of the party in their states and must have a say on who gets the ticket,” the source disclosed.