Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said it has waived the screening requirement for President Bola Tinubu ahead of its 2027 presidential primaries, declaring him duly cleared in line with party rules.
The decision was taken at the party’s 188th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held on Wednesday at its national secretariat in Abuja.
In a statement, National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the move was based on powers granted to the NWC under the party’s constitution to organise primaries and grant waivers where necessary.
“The NWC resolved to waive, and has waived, screening requirements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and deemed him duly screened,” the statement said, citing provisions of the APC constitution.
The committee said Tinubu had already secured broad endorsements from key stakeholders, including the Progressive Governors Forum and members of the National Assembly, and noted he had been screened ahead of the 2022 primaries.
It added that requiring his appearance before a screening panel at this stage would be “redundant and unnecessary.”
CliqMetro reports that the ruling APC began selling expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28, with the process closing on May 6. Screening of other aspirants is expected to begin on May 8.
The Lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke purchased the N100 million presidential nomination and expression of interest forms for Tinubu.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly polls are to hold on February 6.