Despite President Bola Tinubu’s broad support for a second term, the All Progressives Congress has made it clear that other party members who are interested in running for president are still allowed to run for the party’s ticket in the 2027 primary.
During an interview with reporters at the APC’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday, Sulaiman Argungu, the party’s national organizing secretary, made this claim.
He reiterated that Tinubu’s re-election bid had been approved by the party’s leadership, which included the National Working Committee, the Progressives Governors Forum under Governor Hope Uzodinma, and the National Assembly leadership under Senator Godswill Akpabio, in appreciation of his “outstanding performance.”
Argungu emphasized, however, that the APC would not bar other candidates because it is a party dedicated to democratic ideals.
“We will not exclude other presidential candidates,” he declared. Our schedule will be announced when the time arrives. Anyone who wishes to run for president under the APC will have the chance to exercise their right to vote by purchasing the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms.
“We didn’t claim that the door was locked. All we’re trying to convey is that we value the President’s contributions to the nation and believe he should be given another term, which is why we recently gave him our resounding support.
The lawmaker, who was born in Sokoto, was answering inquiries about whether the APC will follow the Peoples Democratic Party’s example, which in October 2014 reserved its only presidential form for Goodluck Jonathan.
Speaking about the APC’s performance in the most recent by-elections, Argungu credited the party’s success in 13 of the 16 seats it ran for to “the grace of Almighty Allah” and the commitment of its leaders, members, and supporters across the country.
“This is an outstanding accomplishment and a confirmation of the trust Nigerians still have in the APC,” he continued.
These wins are more than simply numbers; they show how strong, resilient, and well-liked our party is becoming across the country. They demonstrate the Nigerian people’s faith in our ability to provide effective administration and leadership with a purpose.
