• APC clarifies that defecting governors, including Umo Eno, Agbu Kefas, and Siminalayi Fubara, are not guaranteed automatic tickets

• Party emphasizes democratic process; all members must contest and earn candidacy

• PDP, NNPP react, saying defecting governors may face disappointment

Top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have ruled out granting automatic party tickets to governors who recently defected to the party, including Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as well as Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who is expected to join soon.

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A member of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) said defecting from another party does not guarantee candidacy, stressing that all members, regardless of status, must compete democratically for party tickets.

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APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, reinforced that the party supports a level playing field and democratic participation, noting that even President Bola Tinubu would not receive an automatic ticket despite strong internal backing.

Reacting, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and NNPP’s Oladipo Johnson, said the development was expected and suggested that the defecting governors may face frustration within APC, highlighting the party’s strict internal rules and competitive processes.

The APC emphasized that candidates’ achievements in their states would influence internal support, but all contests remain open and democratic, ensuring fairness for both long-standing and new members.