President Bola Tinubu has called on the All Progressives Congress leadership to guarantee a level playing field for all aspirants as the party begins its primary elections nationwide, warning against rancorous conduct and urging both winners and losers to approach the process with the sportsmanship required to preserve party unity ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement ahead of the commencement of the primaries, Tinubu described the exercise as more than a candidate selection process, calling it a referendum on the APC’s unity, resilience, and internal strength as the party entered its fourth election cycle. The primaries open with House of Representatives aspirants and culminate in the presidential primary on May 25, 2026.
He acknowledged the progress made by party leaders at various levels in producing consensus candidates, describing the approach as commendable for reducing friction, but said that where consensus failed, aspirants should proceed to direct primaries as brothers and sisters bound by shared purpose. He warned that losers had the option to appeal through established party committees rather than resort to destabilizing conduct.
Tinubu appealed personally for the inclusion of women and young people, describing their meaningful participation as a matter he held dear. He also directed police and security agencies to limit their role strictly to ensuring peaceful conduct, warning against any interference in the party’s internal process. He urged winners to extend olive branches to unsuccessful aspirants and said political outcomes should never be treated as zero-sum games within the party.
