The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that the 2027 presidential ticket will not be reserved exclusively for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that any party member interested in running for the presidency is free to contest.
This comes despite earlier endorsements of President Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the next general election.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday at the APC national secretariat, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu, clarified that while Tinubu has been endorsed across party organs and state structures, the contest remains open.
“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. And by extension, other organs have equally done the same thing,” Argungu said.
He noted that state governors and party leaders across the six geopolitical zones had also thrown their weight behind Tinubu. However, he stressed that such endorsements do not amount to an automatic ticket.
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“But it does not mean that the door is closed. It also means that when the time comes, we will make our timetable known so that for anybody who wants to aspire for the president of this country, either in the platform of the APC, will not be denied the opportunity to purchase the nomination forms,” Argungu added.
The statement signals a significant shift within the ruling party, coming amid growing internal debates about power rotation, zoning, and President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
By clarifying that the presidential primaries remain open, APC appears to be balancing loyalty to its incumbent president with a commitment to democratic contest within its ranks.
The announcement may embolden other ambitious party members to openly declare interest, potentially setting the stage for a competitive primary ahead of the 2027 elections.
