2nd Term: APC Waives Screening for President Tinubu, Says Appearance Before Committee Unnecessary
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has waived the screening requirement for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the party’s 2027 presidential primaries, describing his physical appearance before the screening committee as “redundant and unnecessary.”
The party disclosed this in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, following the 188th meeting of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) held on Wednesday.
According to Morka, the decision was based on the fact that Tinubu had already undergone screening and was cleared ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
“As the incumbent president and leader of our great 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 read.
He explained that the NWC resolved to grant the president a waiver in line with the powers conferred on the party leadership under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of the APC constitution, which empowers the committee to organise and supervise party primaries and grant waivers in special circumstances deemed to be in the party’s best interest.
The APC also confirmed that screening of aspirants for various positions would take place between May 8 and May 12, 2026, while the presidential primary election has been scheduled for May 23, 2026.
Morka further noted that during the APC National Summit held on May 22, 2025, party stakeholders, including governors, lawmakers, and other organs of the party, unanimously passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu and endorsed his leadership.
Tinubu emerged winner of the 2023 presidential election after defeating Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. He secured 8,794,726 votes across 12 states, while Atiku polled 6,984,520 votes and Obi garnered 6,101,533 votes across 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The 2023 election, however, was trailed by allegations surrounding Tinubu’s academic records, with Atiku seeking legal approval to subpoena documents from Chicago State University over alleged inconsistencies in the president’s academic history.
Despite the controversy, the Supreme Court dismissed the allegations and upheld Tinubu’s election victory, bringing an end to the legal dispute over his qualification for office.