By Ismail Shuaib
ABUJA: The All Progressives Congress APC has dismissed claims that it intends to reserve its 2027 presidential nomination form solely for President Bola Tinubu, stressing that the ticket remains open to other aspirants.
The party’s National Organizing Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Argungu, stated this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja.
Argungu explained that while the National Working Committee NWC, state chapters and governors across the country have declared support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, the endorsement does not translate into a foreclosed process.
“It is the wish of the party and the NWC to endorse President Tinubu for a second term, and other organs of the party have done the same across the six geopolitical zones. But this does not mean the contest is closed,” he said.
He maintained that democracy demands inclusivity, assuring that when the time comes for the next presidential primary election, the party will release its timetable and allow any member interested in contesting for the presidency to purchase the expression of interest and nomination forms.
“We never said the door is shut. What we are saying is that we appreciate the President’s performance and believe he deserves another term. However, any qualified aspirant within our party will not be denied the chance to run,” Argungu added.
He also pledged that the APC would align with the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC timetable and the Electoral Act to ensure a credible and transparent process.
Speaking on recent political developments, the APC chieftain pointed to the party’s victories in recent bye-elections held in states controlled by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP as evidence of rising public trust in the ruling party and Tinubu’s leadership.
“That we are winning elections in PDP strongholds is a clear indication that Nigerians believe in the progressive agenda of President Tinubu and the APC,” he noted.
On allegations that his department had been sidelined in the conduct of party primaries, Argungu dismissed the claims, insisting that since assuming office in 2022, the Organizing Department has introduced reforms that promote teamwork and transparency.
He further clarified that no aspirant had been excluded from the forthcoming governorship primary in Ekiti State.
According to him, four aspirants — including the incumbent governor — have already purchased forms. He said two of them are women who benefited from the APC’s policy of granting free nomination forms to female aspirants.
