Isaac Samuel
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that its 2027 presidential ticket remains open to all party members, despite broad endorsement of President Bola Ahmed for a second term.
Speaking on Wednesday at an interactive session with journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, APC National Organising Secretary Sulaiman Mohammad Argungu emphasized that no aspirant would be barred from contesting the primaries.
While the party leadership including the National Working Committee, the Progressives Governors Forum led by Senator Hope Uzodinma, and the National Assembly leadership under Senator Godswill Akpabio endorsed Tinubu for re-election in recognition of his performance, Argungu stressed that this endorsement does not preclude other members from vying for the ticket.
The Sokoto-born politician spoke in reaction to the question of whether the APC would emulate the Peoples Democratic Party, which printed just one form and reserved it specially for the then-President Goodluck Jonathan to vie as the sole Presidential aspirant in October 2014.
He clarified that the APC would not follow the example of the Peoples Democratic Party, which in 2014 reserved a single presidential form for then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Argungu also attributed the party’s strong performance in recent by-elections—winning 13 of 16 contested seats to the dedication of party leaders, members, and supporters, as well as divine providence.
He said: “We will definitely not close our doors (other Presidential aspirants). When the time comes, our timetable will be made known. Anybody who wants to aspire for the presidency under the APC will not be denied the opportunity to purchase the expression of interest and nomination forms to exercise their franchise.
“We never said we had locked the door. We are only telling people that we appreciate what the President is doing for the people of the country and that he deserves a second term in office when we roundly endorsed him recently.
On the recent bye-elections, he stated: “This is a remarkable achievement and a reaffirmation of the confidence Nigerians continue to repose in the APC.
“These victories are not just statistics; they are a reaffirmation of the trust Nigerians continue to place in the APC. They demonstrate the strength, resilience, and growing acceptance of our party nationwide.
“They reflect the belief of the Nigerian people in our capacity to deliver purposeful leadership and good governance”.
