The All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not be handed an automatic presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite enjoying overwhelming endorsement from key stakeholders within the ruling party.
The clarification was made on Tuesday by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu, during a media briefing at the APC national secretariat in Abuja.
Argungu explained that although the National Working Committee (NWC), state governors, and leaders across the six geopolitical zones have thrown their weight behind President Tinubu as the preferred flagbearer, the party will still provide a level playing ground for all aspirants.
“It will be the wish of the party, and we, the NWC of the party, have already endorsed President Tinubu as the next presidential candidate of the party. By extension, other organs have equally done the same thing. Governors in the states have done the same, and it has also been replicated in all six geopolitical zones of the country,” he stated.
The APC chieftain, however, stressed that endorsement should not be mistaken for automatic candidacy, adding that any qualified member of the party remains free to purchase nomination forms and contest in the primaries once the timetable is released.
“But it does not mean that the door is closed. When the time comes, we will make our timetable known so that anybody who wants to aspire for the presidency under the APC platform will not be denied the opportunity,” he added.
The announcement comes amid speculations that the party leadership was considering shutting out potential challengers to President Tinubu’s second-term bid by granting him automatic ticket.
Political analysts say the clarification could help douse tension within the party and prevent internal wrangling, even as opposition parties gear up for the crucial 2027 contest.
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