2027: No automatic ticket for defectors in APC -Presidency 

By Monday Peters Abuja

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has cautioned politicians interested in joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the country against expecting automatic tickets or attempting to hijack the party’s structure. According to Nnaji, while the party welcomes new members, everyone will be subject to party primaries, and no one will be given a free pass.

Nnaji emphasised that the party is open to new members, but everyone will have to contest for positions through primaries. He added that the party’s goal is to populate its ranks with dedicated members who will support the party’s agenda.

Nnaji’s comments appeared to be a veiled reference to Governor Peter Mbah’s rumored interest in joining the APC. The minister noted that some politicians are “running from pillar to post” in Abuja, trying to defect to the APC and hijack the party’s structure.

The minister’s comments were made during an expanded stakeholders meeting of the party in Enugu, where three members of the House of Representatives who defected from the Labour Party to the APC pledged their support for the party’s 2027 electoral goals. The lawmakers, including Hon. Sunday Umeha, Hon. Chimobi Atu, and Prof. Paul Nnamchi, expressed confidence that the APC would win all political positions in the state in 2027, including the governorship seat.