APC says Tinubu widely endorsed for 2027 but insists ticket remains open to all aspirants.
2027 presidential ticket. Photo Credit: X
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed speculation that it intends to print a single 2027 presidential ticket, exclusively for President Bola Tinubu ahead of general elections.
National Organising Secretary of the party, Sulaiman Argungu, made the clarification at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, stressing that the process remains open to all aspirants despite the widespread endorsements of the President across party structures.
“It will be the wish of the party, and we, the NWC of the party, have already endorsed President Tinubu as the next 2027 presidential candidate of the party. And by extension, other organs have equally done the same thing. Governors in the states have done the same, too.
It has also been replicated in all six geographical zones of the country. But it does not mean that the door is closed,” Argungu said.
He emphasised that while the National Working Committee (NWC), governors, and other organs of the APC had endorsed Tinubu for a second term, the party would not bar other aspirants from contesting.
“Democracy does not permit dictatorship. While the majority of our members have endorsed President Tinubu, any other aspirant who wishes to contest under the APC platform will still be allowed to do so,” he added.
Argungu assured that the party would adhere to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) timetable and the Electoral Act, promising a credible and inclusive selection process.
The Organising Secretary also pointed to the APC’s recent victories in bye-elections across opposition strongholds as evidence of growing public confidence in both the ruling party and the Tinubu administration.
“The fact that we can secure victory in PDP states shows that Nigerians believe in the progressive agenda of President Tinubu and the APC,” he said.
On internal concerns, Argungu rejected claims that the party’s Organising Department had been sidelined during primaries, saying his leadership since 2022 had introduced innovations that encouraged teamwork and transparency.
He also confirmed that the forthcoming governorship primary election in Ekiti State remains open to all aspirants. According to him, four contenders, including the serving governor have already purchased forms, with two women benefiting from the party’s policy of granting free nomination forms to female aspirants.
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