The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that it has waived the screening requirement for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the party's upcoming presidential primary elections. The decision was made during the 188th meeting of the party's National Working Committee (NWC) held on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka.
NWC Cites Constitutional Powers
Morka said the committee resolved to exempt Tinubu from the screening process and officially deemed him duly screened in line with the party's constitution. The statement read: "The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at its 188th Meeting, held today May 6, 2026, resolved to waive, and has waived, screening requirements for His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and deemed him as duly screened in accordance with the Constitution of the Party for the purpose of participation in the upcoming primary elections."
According to Morka, the decision was based on powers granted to the committee under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of the APC constitution, which allows the NWC to organise and supervise primaries and grant waivers in special circumstances.
Overwhelming Endorsements Considered
The APC spokesman said the committee also considered the widespread endorsements already received by the president from key organs and stakeholders within the ruling party. "The NWC noted that the President has received overwhelming endorsement and vote of confidence from critical stakeholders of the Party, including the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), the leadership and members of the National Assembly, and other organs of the Party at the APC National Summit of May 22, 2025, and other major statutory events of the Party," Morka said.
He added that it would be unnecessary for the president to physically appear before another screening panel since he had already gone through the process ahead of the party's 2022 presidential primary. "It noted further that, as the incumbent President, and leader of our great 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," he said.
