2027 Primaries: APC waives screening for Tinubu

The All Progressives Congress has waived the screening requirement for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of its 2027 primaries, declaring him duly cleared in line with the party’s constitution and internal procedures.

The decision was taken by the National Working Committee at its 188th meeting, held on Wednesday, at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

In a statement issued after the meeting by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC said the decision was taken in line with the powers granted to the NWC under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of its constitution to organise and oversee party primaries and, where necessary, grant waivers in the party’s best interest.

The statement read in part, “The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, at its 188th meeting held today, May 6, 2026, resolved to waive, and has waived, screening requirements for His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and deemed him duly screened in accordance with the Constitution of the party for the purpose of participation in the upcoming primary elections.

“This decision was made pursuant to the powers conferred on the NWC under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of the Constitution of the APC to organise and supervise the party’s primaries and, in special circumstances, grant waivers in the best interest of the party.

“The NWC noted that the President has received overwhelming endorsement and a vote of confidence from critical stakeholders of the party, including the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), the leadership and members of the National Assembly, and other organs of the party at the APC National Summit of May 22, 2025, and other major statutory events of the party.

“It further noted that, as the incumbent President and leader of the party, having been duly screened and cleared ahead of the 2022 presidential primaries, requiring his physical appearance before a screening committee at this time would be redundant and unnecessary.”

The APC commenced the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28, with the exercise scheduled to close by midnight on May 6. The screening exercise is expected to begin on May 8.

Funder of the Tinubu Support Groups, Hon. James Faleke, who represents the Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, purchased the N100 million presidential expression of interest and nomination forms for the President on April 28.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.

INEC also stated that party primaries and the resolution of related disputes will hold between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

The Commission further announced that campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on August 19, 2026, while those for governorship and state Assembly elections will begin on September 9, 2026.