2027: APC adopts direct primary as Shettima submits Tinubu's nomination forms

…Governors, NWC, N/Assembly leaders back President

…Ruling party waives Tinubu’s screening requirement

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday submitted the completed expression of interest and nomination forms of President Bola Tinubu to the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

The submission took place at the Shettima Hall of the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre, and was attended by top government officials and party stakeholders.

Speaking during the submission ceremony, Shettima called on Nigerians across political, religious and ethnic divides to support Tinubu’s 2027 bid, describing the president’s candidacy as crucial to sustaining ongoing reforms and national development.

“On behalf of our great party, I urge all Nigerians, irrespective of differences in political affiliations, religious persuasions, private or social background, to support this nomination and, by the special grace of God, the candidacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027,” he said.

“As he seeks to lead us for another four years through thick and thin, the President has proved his mettle and has shown the world that his capacity and resolve to pull the nation out of the woods remain.

“His Excellency, the President, has delivered on the mandate of stability and national revival. The storms of the past years have not diminished him; they have made a party hero out of him.

“He has sailed this ship through troubling waters with courage, taking difficult but necessary decisions to stabilise the economy, restore confidence and prepare Nigeria for a more sustainable future,”Shettima added.

Speaking at the event, Nentawe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman, described the submission of the forms as a symbol of continuity and consolidation of the administration’s reforms and development programmes.

“Our National Executive Committee (NEC), which is the second highest decision-making organ of the party, has already endorsed Mr President and we stand firmly by that decision,” he said.

He also said the APC National Working Committee (NWC) has unanimously endorsed Tinubu for a second term because of what he described as the President’s “remarkable performance.”

Yilwatda said Nigeria was at a difficult crossroads when Tinubu assumed office in 2023, particularly in the areas of the economy and infrastructure, but that his administration has turned the situation around.

“The governors have seen the positive impact of these reforms. Today, there is more money accruing to states and local governments,”he added.

Senator Ajibola Bashiru, the APC National Secretary, said the submission of the forms represented a critical step towards Tinubu’s participation in the party primary and eventual re-election bid in 2027.

On the mode of presidential primary, Bashiru said, “The party has adopted direct primary for the emergence of its presidential candidate. Whoever is willing to contest against President Tinubu can do so.”

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Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, who spoke on behalf of APC governors, declared total support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“We are united and we have reached a consensus in supporting President Tinubu to continue the good work he is doing for Nigeria. We are convinced and ready to market our party and ensure that Mr President is re-elected in 2027,” he said.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, also expressed confidence in Tinubu’s chances in the next election, saying, “President Tinubu’s re-election is guaranteed because he has done very well for this country. Nigerians are waiting to vote for him in 2027.”

The event was attended by Governors Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Babagana Zulum (Borno),
Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Dikko Radda (Katsina), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Umar Bago (Niger), DapoAbiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Agbu Kefas (Taraba) and Lagos Deputy Governor among others.

Similarly, Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Abdullahi Ganduje, former APC National Chairman; ministers, federal lawmakers’ and many other stakeholders attended the submission ceremony.

Political analysts say the development may signal that Tinubu is likely to retain Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

Speculation has persisted in political circles that the President could replace Shettima following recent political developments and Tinubu’s history of changing deputy governors during his tenure as governor of Lagos State.

BusinessDay reports that James Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives, had earlier obtained the APC nomination forms on behalf of the President, while Shettima formally returned the completed forms on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the NWC at its 188th meeting held on Wednesday, waived the screening requirement for President Tinubu, effectively deeming him duly screened ahead of the party’s presidential primary scheduled for May 23, 2026.

In a statement on Wednesday, Felix Morka, APC National Publicity Secretary, said the decision was taken in line with the party’s constitutional provisions 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.

The committee said the waiver followed widespread endorsements of Tinubu by major stakeholders and organs of the party, including the Progressive Governors Forum, members of the National Assembly, and party leaders during the APC National Summit held on May 22, 2025.

The NWC also noted that Tinubu, as incumbent President and leader of the party, had already undergone screening ahead of the 2022 APC presidential primary making another appearance before a screening panel unnecessary.

BusinessDay reports that screening of aspirants for the 2027 elections is expected to begin on Friday.

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

However, Stanley Osifo, a chieftain of the party from Edo State, has purchased the APC presidential expression of interest and nomination forms valued at N100 million to challenge Tinubu for the party’s ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.

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