The All Progressives Congress (APC) has waived the screening requirement for President Bola Tinubu ahead of its 2027 primaries, declaring him duly cleared in line with the party’s constitution and internal procedures.
The decision was made by the National Working Committee during its 188th meeting on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the party’s National Secretariat.
The APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, issued a statement following the meeting stating that the decision was made in accordance with the powers granted to the NWC under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of its constitution to organize and oversee party primaries and, where necessary, grant waivers in the party’s best interests.
The statement read, “The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, at its 188th meeting held today, May 6, 2026, resolved to waive, and has waived, screening requirements for His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and deemed him duly screened in accordance with the Constitution of the party for the purpose of participation in the upcoming primary elections.
“This decision was made pursuant to the powers conferred on the NWC under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of the Constitution of the APC to organize and supervise the party’s primaries and, in special circumstances, grant waivers in the best interest of the party.
“The NWC noted that the President has received overwhelming endorsement and a vote of confidence from critical stakeholders of the party, including the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), the leadership and members of the National Assembly, and other organs of the party at the APC National Summit of May 22, 2025, and other major statutory events of the party.
“It further noted that, as the incumbent president and leader of the party, having been duly screened and cleared ahead of the 2022 presidential primaries, requiring his physical appearance before a screening committee at this time would be redundant and unnecessary.”
The APC began selling expressions of interest and nomination forms on April 28, with the exercise set to end by midnight on May 6.
The screening exercise is slated to begin on May 8.
On April 28, James Faleke, who represents the Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and funds the Tinubu Support Groups, purchased the N100 million expression of interest and nomination forms for the president.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, with gubernatorial and state Houses of Assembly elections set for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
INEC further announced that party primaries and related issues will take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
The commission also declared that campaigns for the presidential and national assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, with gubernatorial and state assembly elections beginning on September 9, 2026.
