The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed speculations that its 2027 presidential nomination form would be reserved exclusively for President Bola Tinubu, stressing that the ticket remains open to all interested aspirants.
National Organising Secretary of the party, Alhaji Sulaiman Argungu, addressed journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, clarifying that despite widespread endorsements of Tinubu, the process would remain competitive.
He explained that both the National Working Committee (NWC) and various state chapters have adopted Tinubu as their preferred candidate, but the endorsement should not be mistaken for a shut-out of other contenders.
“It will be the wish of the party, and we, the NWC of the party, have already endorsed President Tinubu as the next presidential candidate of the party. And by extension, other organs have equally done the same thing,” Argungu said.
“Governors in the states have done the same, too. It has also been replicated in all six geographical zones of the country. But it does not mean that the door is closed. We will definitely not close our doors. When the time comes, our timetable will be made known. Anybody who wants to aspire for the presidency under the APC will not be denied the opportunity to purchase the expression of interest and nomination forms to exercise their franchise.”
‘Democracy does not permit dictatorship’ Argungu
Argungu stressed that the party would abide by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) timetable and the Electoral Act.
He said : “Democracy does not permit dictatorship. While the majority of our members have endorsed President Tinubu, any other aspirant who wishes to contest under the APC platform will still be allowed to do so.”
The APC organising scribe also pointed to recent victories in bye-elections held in opposition strongholds as evidence of growing confidence in the ruling party and Tinubu’s leadership.
“The fact that we can secure victory in PDP states shows that Nigerians believe in the progressive agenda of President Tinubu and the APC,” he said.
Party defends inclusiveness in primaries
On allegations that his department had been sidelined in the conduct of primaries, Argungu dismissed the claims, saying innovations introduced since 2022 have encouraged transparency and teamwork within the party.
He also clarified concerns over the forthcoming governorship primary in Ekiti State, insisting that the process was open.
“So far, four aspirants, including the serving governor, have purchased forms. Two are men, while two are women, who benefited from the party’s gender-sensitive policy that grants free nomination forms to female aspirants,” he explained.
