The Northern Patriotic Front, a socio-political pressure group, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to grant President Bola Tinubu an automatic ticket to seek re-election in 2027.
The group’s convener, Ali Abacha, also advocated for automatic tickets for APC members in the National Assembly and incumbent governors eligible for re-election.
Abacha argued that this move would promote continuity and good governance, ultimately benefiting Nigeria’s democracy. He emphasized that granting automatic tickets would allow lawmakers to accumulate institutional knowledge, citing examples from advanced democracies like the United States.
The group called on APC National Chairman, Abdulahi Ganduje, and other party leaders to consider their request, describing it as noble and beneficial for the party’s future.
“Longer tenures allow members to develop deeper understanding and expertise in specific policy areas, leading to more informed decision making.
“It also allows for increased productivity, with more time in office, members can see legislation through, from start to finish, reducing the likelihood of bills stalling or dying due to lack of continuity.
“There’s also improved representation as longer serving members can build stronger relationships with their constituents, understand their needs better and represent them more effectively.
“Extended tenures can provide stability and continuity in governance, enabling the national assembly to pursue long term goals and projects without frequent disruptions.
“Mentorship and knowledge transfer is also enhanced as experienced members can mentor newer members, sharing their knowledge and expertise to build a more effective and efficient legislative body,” he said.
Abacha commended Tinubu for the far-reaching economic and social reforms undertaken within the past two years under the renewed hope agenda.
He said that though the reforms had come with some challenges, analysts and economic experts, including international financial institutions, agreed that the reforms were necessary to rescue the country from the brink of economic and social collapse.
While urging Tinubu not to be discouraged, Abacha called on all Nigerians to continue to support the president and his administration, as he continued on the path to economic and social freedom for all citizens.
A Co-convener of the group, Shamsudeen Makolo, while responding to a question on the likely consequences of automatic tickets as done by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015, said that APC had the capacity to manage the idea.
“APC and PDP are two different political parties. The APC constitution allows for automatic ticket, which is consensus! it allows direct or indirect primaries.
“If the PDP had done it properly, they wouldn’t have faced what they are facing today. In APC, we are progressives and we know how to do these things. So we will not have problem, God willing,” Makolo said. (NAN)
