The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has elucidated that, despite the widespread endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term, other party members interested in the presidency will still be free to contest for the party’s ticket during the primaries.
Sulaiman Mohammad Argungu, APC’s National Organising Secretary, announced this on Wednesday during an interactive session with journalists at the party’s national office in Abuja.
He reaffirmed that the party’s leadership, including the National Working Committee, the Progressives Governors Forum led by Senator Hope Uzodinma, and the National Assembly leadership led by Senator Godswill Akpabio, had endorsed President Tinubu for re-election in recognition of his exceptional performance.
However, Argungu stated that the APC, as a party devoted to democratic ideals, would not refuse any contender the opportunity to fight Tinubu for the ticket in a free and open primary contest.
He stated, “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.”
The Sokoto-born politician responded to a query on whether the APC will follow in the footsteps of the Peoples Democratic Party, which produced only one form and reserved it specifically for then-President Goodluck Jonathan to run as the sole presidential candidate in October 2014.
In response to the party’s performance in the recent by-election, the APC National Organising Secretary ascribed the victory in 13 of the 16 contested seats to Almighty Allah’s grace and the dedication of the party’s leaders, members, and supporters all throughout the country.
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.”
