Strong indications have emerged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is weighing a plan to grant automatic tickets to serving members of the National Assembly as the party moves closer to its primaries.
Party insiders say the proposal, if adopted, would favour returning senators and members of the House of Representatives, with limited exceptions in states where governors may insist on preferred candidates.
A source familiar with internal deliberations disclosed that the move is designed to minimise internal disputes and pre-primary conflicts that could destabilise the party ahead of its presidential primary and other key contests.
According to the source, the APC leadership is keen to avoid the kind of bruising primary battles that have historically fractured party cohesion and weakened electoral prospects in previous election cycles.
Signals pointing to the arrangement have also surfaced in the build-up to the party’s forthcoming national convention, where the APC is expected to retain its existing zoning formula.
There are also indications that members of the National Working Committee (NWC) who are seeking to retain their positions may be returned unopposed if they align with the prevailing power structure within the party.
However, insiders caution that the arrangement is not absolute and remains subject to political negotiations, particularly at the state level where governors wield significant influence over party structures.
In several states, governors are expected to play decisive roles in determining whether the automatic ticket plan will be implemented or modified to accommodate local political realities.
In Imo State, the situation appears particularly fluid, with three APC senators currently occupying seats in the National Assembly under the party’s platform.
Uncertainty surrounds the political future of Senator Osita Izunaso, amid growing indications that Governor Hope Uzodimma—who is expected to complete his second term in 2028—may seek a return to the Senate, a move that could trigger a high-stakes contest within the party.
