Drama In The House! APC Snubs Automatic Tickets, Lawmakers Say They’re ‘Old Wines

Some All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the House of Representatives have expressed confidence and composure following the party’s decision not to offer automatic tickets for the 2027 general election, declaring their readiness to contest in the party’s primaries.

APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, debunked reports suggesting that all National Assembly members would be granted automatic return tickets, labeling such claims as false and misleading.

In a statement on Tuesday, Morka urged the public to disregard the reports, emphasizing that the party had made no such promise.

Meanwhile, Kolawole Akinlayo, who represents Ido/Osi/Ilejeme Federal Constituency in Ekiti State, confirmed to The Punch his intention to seek re-election, saying, “I will definitely go for a second term. It’s a must.”

Another lawmaker, speaking anonymously, affirmed his willingness to participate in the primaries but stressed the importance of institutional memory in the legislative arm of government. He argued that experienced lawmakers are critical to effective lawmaking, representation, and oversight.

According to him, “Automatic tickets do not guarantee electoral success. I am prepared to go through the primaries if that’s the party’s decision, but we must understand that lawmakers, like fine wine, improve with age.”

He added, “One of the setbacks of the 10th Assembly was the high turnover of members who failed to return in 2023. It takes time for new lawmakers to grasp the workings of parliament.”

He concluded by emphasizing that democracy must prevail, and the party should prioritize what’s best for the nation while making such decisions.