2027 Elections: Tinubu May Grant Automatic Senate Tickets to Bamidele, Yari, Aliero, Kalu, Others

President Bola Tinubu is reportedly considering automatic Senate tickets for selected lawmakers, including Opeyemi Bamidele, Abdulaziz Yari, and Orji Uzor Kalu, in a move aimed at preserving stability in the National Assembly ahead of the 2027 elections.

Fresh indications have emerged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may support the return of a number of key senators in the 2027 general elections, as part of a broader political strategy to sustain stability in the National Assembly and consolidate legislative backing for his administration’s reform agenda.

Sources familiar with the development disclosed that the President is favourably disposed to the idea of granting automatic Senate tickets to a select group of lawmakers who have played prominent roles in maintaining cohesion within the upper legislative chamber since the inauguration of the current administration.

The lawmakers reportedly being considered for the arrangement include Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele representing Ekiti Central, Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara West, Adamu Aliero of Kebbi Central, and Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia North, among others.

Also said to be on the list are Yahaya Abdullahi, Abdullahi Yahaya Abubakar, Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Danjuma Goje, and Adetokunbo Abiru, all of whom are believed to have contributed to the relative stability currently enjoyed in the Senate.

The indication was reportedly revealed by the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, popularly known as Kauran Gwandu, during a meeting with political stakeholders in the state, where he praised the role of the lawmakers in supporting the Tinubu administration.

Governor Idris was quoted as saying that the senators under consideration have demonstrated loyalty, leadership, and legislative coordination that have helped to strengthen the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.

According to him, their efforts have ensured smooth legislative operations, especially in the passage of major policy initiatives and reform measures introduced by the current administration.

The governor reportedly noted that sustaining such experienced lawmakers in the Senate would help preserve continuity, institutional memory, and legislative stability as the administration advances its national development agenda.

Political observers say the reported plan reflects the strategic importance the Presidency places on maintaining a dependable leadership bloc in the Senate, especially as the administration prepares for the political realignments expected ahead of the next general elections.

Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, the Senate has largely maintained a cooperative relationship with the executive, with principal officers and ranking lawmakers playing key roles in fast-tracking executive bills and reducing institutional friction.

Analysts believe that retaining lawmakers who have demonstrated strong alignment with the administration could strengthen policy implementation and prevent disruptions that often accompany intense intra-party contests during election cycles.

However, despite the growing speculation, neither the Presidency nor the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially confirmed the reported arrangement.

The absence of formal confirmation has not, however, slowed conversations within political circles, where the report is already generating debate over the implications of automatic tickets on internal party democracy.

While some stakeholders view the move as a practical measure to reward loyalty and preserve legislative stability, others argue that automatic tickets could trigger discontent among party members seeking to contest the seats through open primaries.

Political watchers say the coming months will reveal whether the ruling party adopts such a strategy formally or allows competitive primaries to determine its candidates for the Senate in 2027.

For now, the report has added another layer to the evolving political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections, especially within the APC, where negotiations over candidacies and strategic alliances are expected to intensify as the election season approaches.