APC waives screening for Tinubu ahead of 2027 primaries

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has waived the screening requirement for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the party’s 2027 presidential primaries, declaring him duly cleared to participate in the exercise.

 

The decision was reached during the 188th meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) held on Wednesday at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.

 

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC said the waiver was granted under the powers vested in the NWC by Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of the party’s constitution.

 

According to the statement, the NWC considered it unnecessary for the President to undergo another screening process, having already been screened before the 2022 presidential primaries.

 

“The National Working Committee 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,” the statement read.

 

The APC said the decision was also influenced by what it described as the President’s “overwhelming endorsement” by major stakeholders within the party, including the Progressive Governors Forum, members of the National Assembly, and other party organs during the APC National Summit and related events.

 

“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 statement added.

 

The party had commenced the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28, with the exercise closing on May 6, while screening of aspirants is expected to begin on May 8.

 

The President’s ₦100 million nomination and expression of interest forms were purchased by the founder of the Tinubu Support Groups and member of the House of Representatives, James Faleke.

 

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.