Mahdi Shehu has voiced strong opposition to the notion of granting automatic tickets in a democratic system, calling it “strange, alien and unacceptable.”
His remarks come amid reports of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s intended defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a post shared on X on Sunday, the 18th of January, 2026, Shehu emphasised that genuine democracy does not recognise automatic tickets. He cautioned that such practices erode the core values of fairness and choice.
“Automatic tickets are alien, strange and unknown in a real democracy,” Shehu stated.
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He further warned: “The only automatic ticket available to everybody is the inevitable automatic ticket to the grave, willy-nilly. Automatic tickets being offered or demanded in a democracy are tickets that lead only to one destination…..HELL FIRE because both the receivers and givers are playing God and transgressing beyond God’s set limits has a price tag”
Shehu’s statements follow reports that Governor Yusuf’s planned move to the APC has encountered obstacles.
The ruling party reportedly rejected the governor’s alleged demand for an automatic ticket for the 2027 Kano State governorship election.