APC Reps unfazed by lack of automatic tickets, vow to contest 2027 primaries

Some members of the House of Representatives under the All Progressives Congress (APC) have said they are not discouraged by the party’s decision to withhold automatic tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing readiness to contest in the primaries.

This comes amid speculation that the APC had planned to offer automatic return tickets to sitting National Assembly members—claims the party has officially debunked.

In a statement released on Tuesday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, dismissed the reports as false and urged the public to ignore the rumours, clarifying that no such decision had been made by the party’s leadership.

Responding to the development, Hon. Kolawole Akinlayo, who represents Ido/Osi/Ilejemeje Federal Constituency in Ekiti State, confirmed in an interview with Punch that he would be seeking re-election.

“I will definitely go for a second term. It’s a must,” he said confidently.

Another House member, speaking anonymously, also backed the idea of open primaries but emphasized the need to value legislative experience.

“Lawmakers become more effective with time. They develop deeper knowledge of legislative processes, oversight responsibilities, and constituent representation,” he said.

According to him, automatic tickets are not a guarantee of victory, but institutional continuity plays a crucial role in improving legislative performance.

“If the party decides that primaries are the way forward, I’m ready to compete. But we should also acknowledge that like aged wine, legislators improve with time,” he noted.

He further warned that high turnover rates—such as those seen after the 2023 elections—can be disruptive to parliamentary efficiency.

“While I’m not advocating blanket returns, the APC should be strategic and consider what kind of parliament it wants in 2027. The country’s interest should guide those choices,” he added.