Automatic Ticket? ‘No Agreement Yet With Fubara Yusuf’

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The prospects of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf securing second-term governorship tickets under the All Progressives Congress (APC) remain uncertain.

Although both governors are now linked to the ruling party—Fubara through a formal defection, and Yusuf expected to join soon after resigning from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—strong internal resistance and competing political interests in Rivers and Kano have cast doubts on their re-election bids.

Several APC insiders, speaking anonymously to Punch, revealed that neither governor has received formal assurances of automatic return tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections. Local party stakeholders and aspirants in both states are reportedly resisting any attempt to impose candidates, insisting that transparent and competitive primaries must be conducted.

The unique political dynamics in Rivers and Kano are complicating negotiations around their candidacies.

Governor Fubara officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC on December 9, a move widely interpreted as a strategic step to strengthen his second-term ambitions. However, this shift has intensified tension with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a key power broker in Rivers politics.

Wike has publicly stated that Fubara’s re-election is not guaranteed, even under the APC banner. He has also been active in rallying stakeholders across party lines, including leaders from both the APC and PDP, to counter Fubara’s ambitions.

In Kano, Governor Yusuf’s resignation from the NNPP on Friday, along with 21 members of the State House of Assembly, eight House of Representatives members, and 44 local government chairmen, appeared to pave the way for his expected entry into the APC.

However, influential figures, including Deputy Governor Aminu AbdulSalam and NNPP National Leader Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, remain in the NNPP, signalling potential factional challenges that could complicate Yusuf’s reception in the ruling party.

Inside APC corridors, party officials said the ambitions of other governorship aspirants in Rivers and Kano have further complicated matters. Some have openly rejected any imposed candidates, insisting that primaries must be free and fair.

A senior APC source explained that negotiations over the two governors’ return tickets are ongoing and unresolved due to entrenched political interests and state-specific dynamics.

“A major negotiation that previous PDP governors had with APC leaders, with presidential approval, guaranteed their return tickets upon defection. Automatic or not, they were generally assured. But Rivers and Kano are complicated,” the source said.

“No concrete agreement has been reached on Governors Fubara and Yusuf. Their return depends on the stance of party leaders and other stakeholders in their states.”

Another APC insider noted that while the APC Governors’ Forum works closely with the national leadership to secure tickets for new members, divisions remain over Fubara and Yusuf. Some governors are sceptical about the two leaders’ ability to deliver electoral victories in their states.

“The Governors’ Forum is a powerful arm of the party; they essentially fund and manage campaigns. While they have concluded return tickets for other new members, Rivers and Kano remain unresolved,” the source said.

“In Kano, the governor’s inability to bring Kwankwaso into the APC is a setback. Other aspirants, including Nasiru Gawuna and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, have strong ambitions. In Rivers, Wike is a major force, using his networks to challenge Fubara. The capacities of both governors are being tested, and nothing is finalized yet.”