The Northern Patriotic Forum has called on the All Progressives Congress to grant automatic return tickets to all its serving National Assembly members ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group made this demand during a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday.
At the briefing convened by Forum Convener Abacha Ali and Chairman Abdulmumnini Tijani, the group argued that retaining incumbent lawmakers would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, enhance legislative efficiency, and ensure governance stability. They drew parallels with practices in advanced democracies to support their position.
Ali stated, “It is pertinent to state here that even in advanced democracies, such as the United States and other Western nations, from where we copied our presidential system of government, most members of their parliament have been known to spend well over four decades in the parliament. This helps to enrich parliamentary debates and articulate legislation that further enhances democratic practices and the rule of law.”
The Forum outlined multiple benefits of their proposal, including the preservation of institutional knowledge, increased legislative productivity, improved constituent representation, and opportunities for experienced lawmakers to mentor newcomers. They emphasized that extended tenures would enable legislators to develop specialized policy expertise.
Ali explained, “Extending the tenure of National Assembly members can have several long-term benefits, including accumulation of institutional knowledge. Longer tenures allow members to develop a deeper understanding and expertise in specific policy areas, leading to more informed decision-making.”
The group specifically appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Chairman Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, and APC Governors’ Forum Chairman Senator Hope Uzodinma to endorse their initiative. They framed the proposal as beneficial for both the party and Nigeria’s democratic development.
“We call on all APC party faithful across the country, the party hierarchy, and the leadership to ensure that the automatic party ticket for National Assembly members is given the necessary attention with a view to making it a reality before the party primaries,” Ali added.
Forum Chairman Tijani reinforced these arguments, calling for party-wide support. “We urge all members of the party to rally round this noble course for the good of the party and in the overall interest of our democracy,” Tijani said.
The Northern Patriotic Forum’s proposal comes as political parties begin preparations for the next election cycle, with the APC expected to finalize its nomination processes in the coming months.
