President Tinubu
Olamilekan Abayomi
The All Progressives Congress has taken a significant procedural step ahead of the 2027 general elections by *waiving the mandatory presidential screening for incumbent President Bola Tinubu*. The decision was ratified at the party’s 188th National Working Committee meeting in Abuja on May 6, 2026, and was made public through a statement from APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka. Under the party’s constitution, specifically Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv), the NWC has the authority to organise primaries and grant waivers in special circumstances deemed to serve the party’s interest. In this case, the committee invoked that clause to exempt Tinubu from appearing before the screening panel.
The justification given by the APC centres on the fact that *Tinubu had already undergone the full screening process during the 2022 presidential primaries*, which preceded his victory in the 2023 general elections. Party officials argue that subjecting a sitting president and party leader to another vetting round would be duplicative and unnecessary. The NWC’s statement described the waiver as being “in the best interest of the party” and framed it as a move to streamline internal processes while consolidating party unity ahead of a crucial election cycle.
A key factor in the decision is the *overwhelming endorsement Tinubu has received from major APC blocs* over the past year. The Progressive Governors Forum, members of the National Assembly, and other party organs publicly backed him at the APC National Summit held on May 22, 2025. That summit was widely interpreted as an early signal of the party’s intent to rally around Tinubu for a second term. The NWC referenced this broad consensus as further validation for bypassing the routine screening requirement.
The waiver does not mean the presidential race within the APC is closed. *National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda stressed that the party’s national secretariat remains open to all aspirants*, noting the high volume of people purchasing forms for various positions, including the presidency. He said the party intentionally allowed competition rather than shutting the door, even with an incumbent in office. However, he also cautioned that the timeline for forms sale and submission cannot be extended further because it is bound by the provisions of the Electoral Act.
This development comes alongside *adjustments to the APC’s 2027 election timetable*. The party recently extended the deadline for the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to midnight on May 6, 2026, with submission now due by midnight on May 7. Screening for all other aspirants is scheduled to run from May 8 to May 12, and the list of successful candidates will be published on May 13. The cost of forms remains unchanged, with the presidential form pegged at ₦100 million, governorship at ₦50 million, Senate at ₦20 million, House of Representatives at ₦10 million, and State Assembly at ₦6 million.
The timing of the waiver is also politically significant. *Tinubu’s nomination form was purchased on his behalf by Rep. James Faleke*, who represents Ikeja Federal Constituency. That move was seen as a formal step to signal the President’s intention to seek re-election. With the screening hurdle now removed, Tinubu’s path to securing the APC presidential ticket appears clearer, though other aspirants are still free to obtain forms and participate in the primary contest if they wish.
For the APC, the decision serves a dual purpose: it *projects stability and cohesion* while also reducing potential internal friction that a protracted screening process could generate. By clearing Tinubu early, the party leadership avoids a scenario where an incumbent faces public scrutiny or procedural delays from within its own ranks. It also allows the NWC to focus its organisational resources on screening other aspirants for legislative and gubernatorial positions across the country.
The announcement has already drawn reactions from opposition figures, who argue that the waiver undermines internal party democracy and creates an uneven playing field. The APC, however, maintains that the move is constitutional and consistent with past precedent for sitting presidents. As preparations for 2027 intensify, this waiver sets the tone for how the ruling party intends to manage its candidate selection process and positions Tinubu as the central figure in its campaign strategy.
