The All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved a waiver on screening requirements for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, effectively clearing him for participation in the party's presidential primary process.
Decision Reached at NWC Meeting
The decision was reached during the party's 188th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held on Wednesday. APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, disclosed that the committee considered Tinubu as having already satisfied the necessary conditions for screening within the party's internal framework.
Morka said the NWC “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 him, the decision was taken under the provisions of Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of the APC Constitution, which empowers the NWC to organise and supervise primaries and, where necessary, grant waivers in special circumstances.
“This decision was made pursuant to the powers conferred on the NWC under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of the Constitution of APC to organise and supervise the party's primaries and, in special circumstances, grant waivers, in the best interest of the party,” the statement read in part.
Endorsements and Justification
The party explained that President Tinubu had already received strong endorsements from key stakeholders, including the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), members of the National Assembly, and other party structures during the APC National Summit held on May 22, 2025, among other major party engagements.
It further noted that as the incumbent president and a previously screened candidate in the 2022 presidential primaries, subjecting him to another screening exercise would be unnecessary. “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,” the statement added.
Political Preparations for 2027
Meanwhile, political preparations ahead of the 2027 elections are already gathering momentum, with reports that James Faleke, lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, has purchased Tinubu's nomination form for the presidential race. President Tinubu, who was elected in 2023, defeated Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) in the last general election.
