APC Debunks Reports of Automatic Tickets for National Assembly Lawmakers
Abuja, June 3, 2025 – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has firmly denied circulating reports that it has granted automatic return tickets to all current members of the National Assembly for the 2027 general elections. The party described the news as “fake” and “mischievous,” urging party members and the public to disregard the rumors.
The clarification was issued in a statement by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka in Abuja, who said the report did not emanate from the party and was intended to mislead Nigerians.
“The attention of the APC has been drawn to a purported breaking news report tagged ‘APC Grants Automatic Tickets to All National Assembly Members’ in viral circulation. The report is fake news and should be disregarded in its entirety as it did not emanate from our great party,” Morka stated.
Context and Background
The denial comes amid calls from some groups, such as the Progressive Youths for National Stability (PYNS), advocating for automatic return tickets for performing federal lawmakers to ensure continuity of President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda. PYNS argued that frequent legislative turnover disrupts policy implementation and that retaining experienced lawmakers would benefit governance.
Despite these calls, APC emphasized that no official decision has been made to grant automatic tickets to any National Assembly members, including prominent figures like Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House Abbas Tajudeen.
APC currently holds a majority in the National Assembly with 68 senators and about 190 members in the House of Representatives, following defections from opposition parties.
Recent Party Developments
About two weeks ago, APC leadership, including 22 governors and federal legislators, unanimously endorsed President Bola Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election during a national summit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Senate President Akpabio moved the motion for Tinubu’s endorsement, seconded by Speaker Tajudeen.
During President Tinubu’s 2025 budget presentation to the National Assembly in December 2024, he jokingly remarked that lawmakers had been re-elected, which some interpreted as a hint toward automatic tickets. However, the APC has clarified that this was a joke and not an official policy indication.
Party’s Warning Against Misinformation
The APC cautioned party members and the public to rely only on verified information from official party channels and warned that misinformation campaigns could undermine party unity and electoral preparations.
