APC Waives Rules, Clears Tinubu Unopposed for Primaries

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has waived key provisions in its internal guidelines to clear the path for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to emerge as the party’s sole presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 primary election, party insiders confirmed on Wednesday.

The decision, reached during a high-level meeting of the APC National Working Committee and senior stakeholders in Abuja, effectively removes procedural barriers that could have opened the race to other aspirants within the ruling party. Senior party figures said the move was aimed at consolidating support around Tinubu and avoiding internal divisions ahead of the next general election.

Sources within the party disclosed that governors elected on the APC platform, members of the Progressive Governors Forum, and influential lawmakers backed the resolution after weeks of consultations across the country. The endorsement is expected to be formally ratified during the party’s upcoming national convention.

Speaking after the meeting, a senior APC chieftain said the party considered Tinubu’s economic reforms, infrastructure drive, and political influence as reasons for granting him a consensus path to the ticket.

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According to the official, the ruling party believes a united front around the president would strengthen its chances of retaining power in 2027 while giving the administration enough time to implement ongoing reforms.

The development has already triggered reactions within political circles, with opposition parties accusing the APC of stifling internal democracy. However, APC leaders insist the consensus arrangement follows the party’s constitution and democratic tradition.

Political analysts say the endorsement reflects Tinubu’s growing grip on the ruling party despite mounting economic pressure on citizens following fuel subsidy removal and currency reforms introduced by his administration.

Several ministers, lawmakers, and regional political blocs have recently declared support for the president’s re-election bid, describing his “Renewed Hope” agenda as necessary for long-term economic recovery.

Meanwhile, some APC stakeholders from the North and South-West have argued that allowing Tinubu to run unopposed would prevent a repeat of the internal rivalries that weakened the party in previous election cycles.

The party is expected to release fresh guidelines for the primary process in the coming weeks, although insiders maintain there is little likelihood of a serious challenger emerging against the president.

With the latest development, attention is gradually shifting to opposition parties, where talks of mergers and coalition-building ahead of 2027 have intensified amid attempts to challenge the ruling APC’s dominance.