The All Progressives Congress has waived the mandatory screening process for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the party’s 2027 presidential primaries, effectively declaring him cleared in line with its constitution and internal guidelines.
The decision was reached on Wednesday during the 188th meeting of the party’s National Working Committee held at the APC national secretariat in Abuja.
In a statement issued after the meeting by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the NWC said the waiver was granted under the powers conferred on it by the party’s constitution.
According to the statement, the committee relied on Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv), which empowers it to organise party primaries and approve waivers where necessary in the overall interest of the party.
The APC stated that President Tinubu was deemed to have satisfied the screening requirement for the forthcoming primaries, noting that his earlier clearance ahead of the 2022 presidential race made a repeat appearance before a screening panel unnecessary.
The party also cited what it described as broad endorsements from key stakeholders, including the Progressive Governors Forum, members of the National Assembly, and other party organs during its National Summit held in May 2025.
“The President has received overwhelming support and votes of confidence from major stakeholders across the party structure,” the statement noted.
It added that subjecting the incumbent President and party leader to another screening process would be “redundant and unnecessary.”
Meanwhile, the APC commenced the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28, with the exercise scheduled to close on May 6. Screening of other aspirants is expected to begin on May 8.
Earlier, the forms for the presidential ticket were purchased for President Tinubu by Hon. James Faleke, who represents Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, at a cost of N100 million.
In the broader electoral timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are slated for January 16, while governorship and state assembly polls will hold on February 6, 2027.
INEC also fixed party primaries and resolution of related disputes between April 23 and May 30, 2026, with campaigns expected to begin in August and September 2026 for federal and state elections respectively.