By Peter Dansu The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that its 2027 presidential ticket will not be reserved for any single candidate...
By Peter Dansu
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that its 2027 presidential ticket will not be reserved for any single candidate, insisting that other aspirants are free to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the primaries despite his widespread endorsement for a second term.
The party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Mohammad Argungu, made this clarification on Wednesday during an interactive session with journalists at the APC national secretariat in Abuja.
According to him, the endorsement of President Tinubu by key organs of the party—including the National Working Committee, the Progressives Governors Forum led by Senator Hope Uzodinma, and the National Assembly leadership under Senate President Godswill Akpabio—was a recognition of his performance in office, not an attempt to shut out other contenders.
Argungu explained that the APC remains committed to democratic values and will provide a level playing field for all members interested in running for president.
“We will definitely not close our doors to other presidential aspirants. When the time comes, our timetable will be released. Anybody who wants to aspire under the APC will be free to buy the expression of interest and nomination forms to exercise their franchise,” he said.
He stressed that while the party has openly commended Tinubu’s achievements and believes he deserves another term, it has not barred other aspirants. “We never said we had locked the door. What we are saying is that we appreciate what the President is doing and that he deserves a second term when we endorsed him recently,” Argungu added.
His remarks came in response to questions on whether the APC would replicate what the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did in 2014, when it reserved its presidential ticket solely for then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
On the party’s recent by-election results, the National Organising Secretary attributed APC’s victory in 13 out of 16 contested seats to divine grace, as well as the commitment of its leaders, members, and supporters nationwide.
“This is a remarkable achievement and a reaffirmation of the confidence Nigerians continue to repose in the APC,” he said. “These victories are not just numbers; they reflect the trust Nigerians have in our capacity to provide purposeful leadership and good governance.”
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