- The APC waived President Bola Tinubu’s screening requirement ahead of the party’s 2027 presidential primaries
- The party said Tinubu had already been screened in 2022, making another appearance unnecessary
- INEC fixed the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027
The All Progressives Congress has waived the screening requirement for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the party’s 2027 presidential primaries, declaring him duly cleared to participate in the exercise.
The decision was reached during the 188th meeting of the party’s National Working Committee held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the waiver was granted in line with the powers vested in the NWC under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of the APC constitution.
According to the statement, the committee resolved that President Tinubu had already satisfied all necessary requirements, making a fresh screening process unnecessary.
“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,” the statement read.
The APC explained that the constitution empowers the NWC to organise and supervise party primaries and, in special circumstances, grant waivers where such decisions are considered to be in the party’s best interest.
The ruling party also pointed to what it described as overwhelming support and endorsements received by the President from key party stakeholders, including the Progressive Governors Forum, members of the National Assembly and other party organs.
The party noted that Tinubu had previously undergone screening and clearance ahead of the APC presidential primaries in 2022, arguing that requiring him to physically appear before another screening committee would be unnecessary.
“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 statement added.
The APC had commenced the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms for aspirants on April 28, with the exercise ending at midnight on May 6. The party’s screening process is expected to begin on May 8.
Meanwhile, the founder of the Tinubu Support Groups and member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, James Faleke, purchased the President’s N100m expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while governorship and state House of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
INEC also announced that party primaries and the resolution of disputes arising from the process would hold between April 23 and May 30, 2026. Campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to commence on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will begin on September 9, 2026.