President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made a direct appeal to leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be fair and just, rise above sentiment, and ensure a level playing field for all aspirants as the party’s nationwide primaries kick off ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in an official statement on the commencement of APC primaries, the President and party leader urged governors, party officials, delegates and aspirants to uphold peace, fairness and discipline throughout the election process. He specifically directed governors and party leaders to give all candidates equal opportunity without let or hindrance, a move widely seen as an attempt to curb accusations of candidate imposition and manipulation.
Tinubu encouraged consensus arrangements where possible, arguing that negotiated agreements can help preserve unity and reduce unnecessary internal conflict. At the same time, he acknowledged that many contests would inevitably require voting and therefore urged aspirants and supporters to demonstrate sportsmanship regardless of outcomes.
The President also stressed the inclusion of women and youth, saying their participation is dear to his heart. He appealed to voters in the primaries and leaders at all levels to give special consideration to female and young aspirants, signaling efforts by the APC leadership to project inclusiveness at a time of growing public criticism over political accessibility for younger Nigerians and female politicians.
This fresh appeal comes after Tinubu had previously acknowledged growing discontent within the APC, especially around the 2023–2025 post-election period, and called for calm among aggrieved members. At the 13th National Executive Committee meeting, he mandated the National Working Committee under National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje not to relent in its reconciliation drive, and even suggested setting up state-level reconciliatory committees to liaise with aggrieved leaders.
Senior APC leaders, including National Chairman Ganduje, had earlier assured the NEC gathering that massive reconciliation efforts are already underway and beginning to yield positive results. The meeting passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu and Ganduje, while the President reiterated that his government’s reforms are already producing results and that unity is essential for the party’s future success.
As the primaries proceed, with House of Representatives exercises starting and presidential primaries scheduled for May 25, 2026, Tinubu has instructed security agencies to remain neutral and focused exclusively on maintaining peace throughout the exercise, warning that the primaries are not mere exercises to produce standard bearers but a historic moment in the party’s annals that will shape the 2027 contest.
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