A delegation of senators led by Godswill Akpabio has reportedly met with Bola Ahmed Tinubu to seek automatic return tickets ahead of the next general elections, but the request was turned down.
According to sources familiar with the meeting, the lawmakers appealed to the president to allow them secure tickets within their party without going through the usual primary election process. They argued that such an arrangement would promote continuity in the National Assembly and reduce internal party disputes.
However, Tinubu rejected the proposal, maintaining that the existing political structure must be respected.
He emphasised that state governors remain the key decision-makers when it comes to party affairs at the state level, including determining who emerges as candidates.
The president reportedly made it clear that governors, as leaders of the party in their respective states, must retain the authority to influence and decide on ticket allocations.
Sources quoted him as insisting that any move to bypass that structure would undermine party discipline and balance of power within the system.
The outcome of the meeting signals that senators seeking re-election will still have to navigate party primaries and secure the backing of their state leadership, rather than rely on automatic endorsements.
