President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on members of the All Progressives Congress to uphold peace, fairness, and unity as the party commences its nationwide primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President described the commencement of the primaries as a “historic moment” for the ruling party, noting that the APC was preparing for its fourth election cycle since its formation.
Tinubu said the primaries, beginning with House of Representatives contests and ending with the presidential primary scheduled for May 25, 2026, would serve as a test of the party’s unity, resilience, and democratic values.
The President commended ongoing efforts by party leaders to adopt consensus arrangements in line with the Electoral Act and the APC constitution, saying the move would help reduce internal conflicts and strengthen party cohesion.
While encouraging members to embrace consensus where possible, Tinubu stressed that elections remain a vital part of democracy and urged aspirants and delegates to conduct themselves peacefully where contests become necessary.
“There will always be winners and losers in every contest,” the President stated, urging victorious candidates not to gloat and those who lose to remain loyal to the party and pursue redress through established internal mechanisms.
Tinubu also charged party leaders, governors, and officials overseeing the primaries to provide a level playing field for all aspirants, insisting that fairness and justice must guide the process.
The President further appealed for greater inclusion of women and youths in the party’s electoral process, describing both groups as critical demographics that must not be sidelined.
He also warned security agencies, particularly the Police, to remain professional during the exercise and avoid interfering in the internal democratic process beyond maintaining law and order.
Tinubu expressed optimism that the APC would emerge stronger after the primaries and pledged to work with all victorious candidates ahead of the general elections.
