The All Progressives Congress (APC) has waived the screening requirement for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of its 2027 presidential primary election, effectively clearing him to participate without undergoing the standard screening process.
The decision was taken by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at its 188th meeting held on Wednesday at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the NWC said the waiver was granted in line with provisions of the APC Constitution, specifically Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv), which empower it to organise party primaries and grant waivers where necessary.
The statement explained that President Tinubu was deemed to have been duly screened based on his position as incumbent President and his previous clearance during the 2022 presidential primaries.
“The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, 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 duly screened in accordance with the Constitution of the party for the purpose of participation in the upcoming primary elections,” the statement read.
The APC noted that the decision was influenced by what it described as overwhelming endorsements from key party stakeholders, including the Progressive Governors Forum, members of the National Assembly, and other party organs.
It added that requiring the President to appear before a screening committee would be unnecessary, given his role as party leader and incumbent President.
The party also confirmed that the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2027 elections began on April 28 and closed on May 6, while screening for other aspirants is scheduled to commence on May 8.
Meanwhile, Hon. James Faleke, who represents Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and serves as a key figure in the Tinubu Support Groups, had earlier purchased the N100 million presidential nomination forms on behalf of the President.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
INEC also announced that party primaries and dispute resolution processes will run between April 23 and May 30, 2026, while campaigns for the presidential election will begin on August 19, 2026.
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