By Franklin Adole
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has waived the screening requirements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the party’s forthcoming presidential primaries, effectively clearing him to participate in the 2027 election process.
The decision was reached at the party’s 188th NWC meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja.
In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party said the waiver was granted in accordance with provisions of the APC constitution empowering the NWC to organise and supervise primaries and, in special circumstances, grant waivers in the interest of the party.
According to the statement, Tinubu was deemed “duly screened” for the purpose of participating in the upcoming primary elections.
The ruling party explained that the president had already secured overwhelming endorsements and votes of confidence from key stakeholders within the APC, including the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), members and leadership of the National Assembly, as well as other organs of the party.
The APC noted that the endorsements were reaffirmed during the party’s National Summit held on May 22, 2025, and at other statutory meetings of the party.
The NWC further argued that requiring Tinubu to physically appear before a screening committee would amount to an unnecessary duplication of a process he had already undergone before emerging as the APC presidential candidate in 2022.
“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.