APC Governors Plot Shake-Up in National Assembly as Tinubu Pushes for Return of Federal Lawmakers

Ahead of the 2027 elections, governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) are reportedly strategising to replace sitting senators and House of Representatives members with loyalists, amid a broader contest to control the 11th National Assembly.

The tensions emerged following President Bola Tinubu’s recent remarks during an interfaith breaking of fast with lawmakers at the State House in Abuja, where he expressed support for the return of most APC federal lawmakers, except in areas governed by rotational or zoning arrangements.

“I wish that everyone would return,” Tinubu said, commending House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for advocating legislative continuity. Abbas noted that high turnover in the National Assembly disrupts institutional memory, requiring new members to undergo lengthy learning processes.

However, APC governors, convening under the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), reportedly view Tinubu’s declaration as unexpected and plan to meet with him before his scheduled trip to the United Kingdom. Party insiders indicate that governors are seeking concessions and assurances that federal lawmakers align with their interests.

Some governors, especially those pursuing second terms, are actively seeking to replace lawmakers from their states. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State is said to be targeting all three senators and at least seven of the nine House members from his state.

The source of the friction includes attempts to amend Section 182(3) of the 1999 Constitution to allow certain governors, including Aiyedatiwa, to pursue a fresh term—an initiative resisted by federal lawmakers. “It is an open secret that the Governor wants a third oath of office… we warned him not to attempt it,” a lawmaker said, requesting anonymity.

The battle highlights a growing rift between state executives and federal legislators within the APC as they jockey for influence ahead of 2027. The PGF is reportedly coordinating strategies to consolidate support and secure loyalists in key National Assembly positions.