2027: APC waives screening for Tinubu ahead of primaries

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved a waiver of screening requirements for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the party’s upcoming primary elections.

The decision was reached at the NWC’s 188th meeting held on Wednesday.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the committee said it had resolved to “waive, and has waived, screening requirements” for the president, adding that he is “deemed as duly screened in accordance with the Constitution of the Party.”

The APC explained that the decision was based on its constitutional powers, noting that it was made “pursuant to the powers conferred on the NWC… to organise and supervise the Party’s primaries and, in special circumstances, grant waivers, in the best interest of the Party.”

The committee also pointed to widespread backing for the president within the party, stating that he “has received overwhelming endorsement and vote of confidence from critical stakeholders,” including the Progressive Governors Forum, the National Assembly, and other party organs.

It further argued that a fresh screening process would be unnecessary, given Tinubu’s prior clearance before the 2022 primaries. Requiring him to appear before a screening panel now, the statement said, “would be redundant and unnecessary.”