APC Affirms Tinubu’s Endorsement but Says 2027 Presidential Ticket Remains Open

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has clarified that, despite the widespread endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, other party members interested in the presidency will still have the opportunity to contest in the 2027 primaries.

APC’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, made this known on Wednesday during an interactive session with journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. He explained that the endorsement of Tinubu by the party’s leadership—including the National Working Committee, the Progressives Governors Forum led by Governor Hope Uzodinma, and the National Assembly under Senator Godswill Akpabio—was in recognition of what they described as his “outstanding performance.”

However, Argungu stressed that the APC remains a democratic party and would not shut its doors against other presidential aspirants. “We will definitely not close our doors to other aspirants. When the time comes, our timetable will be released, and anyone interested in contesting will be free to purchase the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms,” he said.

Responding to comparisons with the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2014 decision to reserve its presidential ticket for then-President Goodluck Jonathan, Argungu insisted that APC’s position was different. He also attributed the party’s recent victories in 13 out of 16 by-election seats to “the grace of Almighty Allah,” as well as the dedication of party leaders and members, describing the results as proof of Nigerians’ growing confidence in the APC’s leadership.