The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports suggesting it plans to issue a single presidential nomination form exclusively for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Argungu, clarified that while the party leadership and state chapters have endorsed Tinubu for a second term, the race remains open to other aspirants.
“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.
He stressed that the endorsement does not translate to automatic candidacy.
“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,” he added.
The party official emphasized that democracy does not allow dictatorship and assured that APC will follow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable and provisions of the Electoral Act to ensure a transparent selection process.
Argungu also cited APC’s recent victories in bye-elections, including in opposition strongholds, as evidence of growing public confidence in the ruling party and President Tinubu’s administration.
“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.
Addressing concerns about internal party democracy, Argungu dismissed allegations that the Organising Department has been sidelined in primary elections. He highlighted that since 2022, the department has introduced measures to enhance transparency and inclusiveness.
On the forthcoming Ekiti governorship primary, he confirmed that the contest is open to all aspirants. “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,” Argungu stated.
