APC waives Tinubu’s screening ahead of May 23 presidential primary

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at its 188th meeting held on May 6, 2026, has waived the screening requirements for President Bola Tinubu, effectively deeming him duly screened for participation in the party’s forthcoming primary elections.

The party has scheduled its presidential primary for May 23, 2026.

Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, said in a statement on Wednesday that the decision was taken in line with the NWC’s constitutional powers under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv), which empower the NWC to organise and supervise primaries and grant waivers in special circumstances in the overall interest of the party.

According to the committee, the waiver follows widespread endorsement of Tinubu by key stakeholders and organs of the APC, including the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), members of the National Assembly, and party leadership at the APC National Summit held on May 22, 2025, among other statutory meetings.

The NWC noted that Tinubu, as the incumbent president and leader of the party, had already undergone screening and clearance ahead of the 2022 presidential primaries.

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It therefore described any fresh appearance before a screening panel as redundant and unnecessary.

BusinessDay reports that screening of aspirants for the 2027 polls is to commence on Friday this week.

The president had earlier been adopted by party stakeholders as the APC’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

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Tinubu had obtained his expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2027 contest through a member of the House of Representatives, James Faleke.

However, former presidential aspirant from Edo State, Stanley Osifo, had purchased the N100 million APC presidential expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the party’s ticket against Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.

Osifo is expected to appear before the APC screening committee for clearance ahead of the presidential primary.