Senators Slated for Automatic 2027 Return Tickets

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has revealed that President Bola Tinubu has identified several senators for automatic return tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The governor, popularly known as Kauran Gwandu, made the disclosure on Monday while interacting with political stakeholders in Kebbi State. He said the affected lawmakers earned the nod through their roles in stabilising the Senate since the current assembly’s inauguration in 2023.

Among those listed is Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central. Others include Senators Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara West), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), Abdullahi Yahaya Abubakar, Idiat Oluranti Adebule (Lagos West), Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), and Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East).

Idris explained that the senators provided steady leadership by fostering cooperation between the legislature and the executive, which helped in the smooth passage of key policies and reforms. He added that their efforts strengthened governance under the Tinubu administration.

As of Monday night, neither the Presidency nor the All Progressives Congress (APC) had issued any official confirmation of the automatic tickets.

Efforts by NaijaChoice News to get reactions from the Senate leadership proved unsuccessful. Neither Senator Bamidele’s office nor the Senate Spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, commented on the matter.

The revelation comes amid fresh tension in Abia State APC, where Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Benjamin Kalu, both claimed President Tinubu’s blessing to coordinate the party’s affairs in the state.

Senator Kalu, a former governor, took to his Facebook page to express gratitude to the President. He pledged to work with stakeholders to produce widely acceptable candidates that would deliver victory for Tinubu’s re-election while advancing Abia’s interests.

Honourable Benjamin Kalu, on his part, said the President directed during a Friday meeting that in APC states without sitting governors, the highest-ranking political office holder should take charge.

How the Abia situation will be resolved remains unclear as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.

This development underscores the strategic importance of legislative loyalty in shaping the APC’s positioning as Nigeria’s political parties begin early alignments for the next general elections.