APC Insists 2027 Presidential Ticket Remains Open Despite Tinubu’s Backing
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has clarified that the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 general elections remains open to all qualified members, despite the widespread endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term.
This was made known on Wednesday by the APC’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Mohammad Argungu, during an interactive session with journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Argungu noted that the party’s leadership, including the National Working Committee (NWC), the Progressives Governors Forum led by Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma, and the National Assembly leadership headed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, had all endorsed President Tinubu for re-election in recognition of his achievements so far.
However, he stressed that the APC remains a democratic party and will not bar any member who wishes to contest for the presidency from purchasing the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms when the time comes.
“We will definitely not close our doors to other presidential aspirants. When the timetable is released, anybody who wants to contest under APC will have the right to buy forms and exercise their franchise. What we have done is simply to show appreciation for the President’s performance, but we have not shut the door against others,” Argungu said.
His clarification came in response to concerns that APC might emulate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which in 2014 printed only one form for then-President Goodluck Jonathan, effectively making him the sole aspirant.
Speaking on the party’s recent victories in by-elections, Argungu attributed APC’s success in 13 out of 16 contested seats to the support of Nigerians and the commitment of party leaders, members, and grassroots supporters.
He described the victories as evidence of the people’s trust in the ruling party’s leadership and governance.
“These victories are not just statistics; they reflect the confidence Nigerians continue to place in APC. They show the resilience, strength, and growing acceptance of our party nationwide, as well as our ability to provide purposeful leadership,” he added.
With this declaration, the APC has reaffirmed its stance that President Tinubu enjoys strong internal support but will still face a competitive primary process if other aspirants decide to contest in 2027.
