The All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved to calm speculation that President Bola Tinubu’s endorsement for a second term has automatically shut out other contenders ahead of the 2027 elections.
Addressing journalists at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, APC’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, explained that while Tinubu enjoys the strong backing of the party’s leadership, the presidential ticket remains open to any aspirant who wishes to test their popularity.
He noted that the National Working Committee, the Progressives Governors Forum led by Governor Hope Uzodinma, and the leadership of the National Assembly under Senate President Godswill Akpabio had all expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership by endorsing him. However, Argungu stressed that such endorsement is not the same as closing the race.
“We have not shut the door against anyone. Once the timetable for primaries is out, every eligible member who wants to contest for the presidency under our platform is free to obtain forms. Nobody will be denied that right,” he said.
The party official added that the decision to back Tinubu was based on what members described as his steady leadership and ongoing reforms, which they believe deserve continuity beyond 2027.
Argungu dismissed comparisons with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which in 2014 barred other aspirants when it handed its presidential ticket exclusively to then-incumbent Goodluck Jonathan. According to him, the APC is committed to a more democratic process.
He also spoke on the APC’s recent success in by-elections, where the ruling party won 13 out of 16 available seats. Argungu attributed the victory to what he called the grace of God, combined with the hard work and unity of the party’s members across the country.
“These results show that Nigerians still trust the APC to provide direction and good governance. They are not just numbers — they reflect the confidence of our people in the party’s vision,” he concluded.