According to reports, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected senators’ attempts to campaign for automatic return tickets for the upcoming general elections, stating that state governors should still have the last say in choosing candidates.
According to Naija News, the President had a “emergency and strategic” meeting with the Senate leadership on Wednesday in the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio led the group, which came soon after the Senate adjourned plenary after an executive session held behind closed doors.
Bayo Onanuga, the president’s spokesperson, confirmed the meeting but withheld specifics. But “far-reaching decisions” were made, according to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.
He mentioned that “matters of urgent national importance” were discussed at the meeting.
Sahara Reporters was informed by sources familiar with the meeting that the lawmakers took use of the occasion to demand guarantees that current senators would obtain party tickets without internal fights.
According to a National Assembly source, “President Tinubu insisted that the governor of each state has the influence over candidates, but the meeting was to plead for automatic tickets for senators.”
“They argued for automatic tickets and made a case for continuity and stability, but the President was very clear in his response.”
The source said that Tinubu rejected the plan and reiterated that governors are important decision-makers in party organizations.
According to the source, “He told them plainly that governors are the party leaders in their states and must have a say on who gets the ticket.”
