Last week’s visit of the Senate leadership to lobby President Bola Tinubu to seek presidential fiat for an automatic ticket for themselves is a clear testament to the fact that because these Legislators have failed, they now seek the support of the President to return in 2027.
President Tinubu had last Wednesday held a closed-door meeting with the extended leadership of the Senate at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Recall that in February, during an interfaith breaking of fast with members of the House of Representatives, Tinubu had promised automatic tickets for lawmakers to reduce the anticipated high turnover of the members in the upcoming elections.
President Tinubu, who noted that some constituencies rotate members of the House of Representatives, had promised to ”do everything within the party’s powers” for the current set to continue in 2027.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas had, in his speech earlier, lauded the president for providing visionary leadership, which has become evident to all.
“This is the first time that every member here, whether in the majority or minority, believes in what you are doing; believes in your government’s policies. In the first year, when you laid out your plans for the country, some people viewed them with pessimism. But with the economy improving, inflation decreasing, agricultural activities rising, and other positive economic indicators, Nigeria is on the right track. Many now see you as a Messiah,” the Speaker stated.
According to him, every administration uses its first term to correct the mistakes of previous ones, affirming that “we have not seen the best of you yet, which we all expect to see in your second term in 2027, as you now understand the magnitude of our challenges.”
The Speaker also sought President Tinubu’s support for the return of members, lamenting that when up to 80% of National Assembly members do not return after elections, it undermines legislative continuity, as new members must undergo lengthy learning processes.
This argument for a need for continuity and the need to preserve institutional memory always come about every electoral cycle, but if the truth is to be told, this 10th National Assembly is least qualified to be granted that privilege of continuity. This is because these Legislators are lacking in every aspect of their constitutionally assigned roles and functions.
They not only lack rigour in exercising their functions, but also do not make any pretence to being thorough and painstaking in discharging their legislative responsibilities. So, if there is a 100 percent turnover rate, especially with this 10th Assembly, what in real terms do we stand to lose? Nothing!
Apparently, banking on the earlier promise of the President of automatic tickets, the Senators instead, were told to go to their governors as they are responsible for the selection of candidates in their respective states.
He also formally empowered governors to drive the primaries after a meeting with the state governors the next day (Thursday) evening.
The governors would have insisted that the president cede that to them and the president, who also would need the governors’ contribution in his second term bid would have no choice but to concede.
This definitely will cause great worries for several legislators, including several senators whose relationships with their governors have been strained.
Knowing the enormity of power that governors wield together, this will just be an opportunity to get even.
Also, after holding another meeting, this time with APC governors, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, who spoke to State House correspondents, revealed that Tinubu had formally empowered governors to drive the primaries process.
Bago said, “We came to thank the President for his magnanimity and his support to the governors and for our party, the APC.
“He gave us a matching order on what to do for him, he has given and ceded his executive power to the governors to go ahead and conduct primaries based on the Electoral Act, either a consensus or direct primaries.
“So he has reiterated his support for our decision, and he has given us a go ahead.”
In Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel will face an uphill task retaining his Ogun East Senatorial seat as the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun, is seeking that seat.
At the state level, as well, it will be interesting to see how the state legislators loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who have been at war with Gov Siminalayi Fubara, would possibly return to the state assembly.
In all, the President needs the governors more than he would need the legislators to secure his second term mandate.
Among some of these legislators seeking automatic tickets, many hardly visit their constituency either for fear of being attacked for non-performance or insecurity. Many have taken permanent residency in Abuja.
