APC Waives Screening for President Tinubu Ahead of 2027 Presidential Primaries
Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has waived the screening requirement for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the party’s 2027 presidential primaries, effectively clearing the incumbent leader to participate in the nomination process without appearing before a screening panel.
The decision was approved during the 188th meeting of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) held on Wednesday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
In a statement signed by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, the party said the waiver was granted under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of its constitution, which empowers the NWC to organise and supervise primaries and grant waivers in special circumstances.
“The National Working Committee of the APC resolved to waive screening requirements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and deemed him duly screened in accordance with the Constitution of the party for participation in the upcoming primary elections,” the statement said.
The party cited Tinubu’s status as the incumbent president and leader of the APC, noting that he had already undergone screening before the 2022 presidential primaries. The NWC said requiring another appearance before a screening committee would be “redundant and unnecessary.”
The APC also referenced what it described as overwhelming endorsements from key party stakeholders, including the Progressive Governors Forum, members of the National Assembly and party leaders during the APC National Summit held on May 22, 2025.
The move signals growing consolidation of support for Tinubu within the ruling party as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, a contest expected to shape Africa’s largest economy amid ongoing reforms in the energy, foreign exchange and fiscal sectors.
The APC began sales of expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28, with the process scheduled to close on May 6. Screening of aspirants is expected to commence on May 8.
Lawmaker James Faleke, who represents Ikeja Federal Constituency and is a prominent supporter of the president, purchased the APC’s N100 million nomination and expression of interest forms for Tinubu on April 28.
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
INEC said party primaries and related dispute resolution processes will run between April 23 and May 30, 2026. Campaigns for presidential and parliamentary elections are expected to begin on August 19, 2026.
