The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it will not bar any of its members from contesting the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 elections despite its clear support for President Bola Tinubu to seek a second term.
While party leaders have openly backed Tinubu’s re-election bid, they maintain that the contest will remain open to other interested aspirants within the APC.
Speaking on the issue, the party’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, Chidi Duru, emphasized that internal democracy remains a core principle of the APC.
He noted that although a consensus candidate may emerge, no member would be prevented from vying for the presidential ticket.
“It is not that we are likely, we will have a consensus. That is an indication of the APC being a democratic party. But should any member wish to contest, they are welcome to do so,” he said.
Duru explained that while consensus arrangements are common, the party cannot shut out aspirants who are willing to test their popularity.
He added that incumbents often enjoy an advantage, particularly when party members are satisfied with their performance in office.
According to him, this aligns with the political principle often described as the “right of first refusal,” where serving leaders who perform well are given priority to seek re-election.
He stressed that political parties must ensure that candidates entrusted with leadership positions deliver on their mandates, as performance ultimately determines whether they are returned to office.
“If a candidate performs well, the party is more likely to present them again to the electorate. But if they fail to meet expectations, the party risks losing the election by retaining them,” Duru noted.
He added that the principle extends beyond the presidency to governors and other elected officials, arguing that those who perform creditably should be allowed to complete a second term.
On concerns that such an approach could trigger internal disputes, Duru pointed out that the constitution guarantees the right of elected officials, including the president and governors, to seek a second term.
The APC is expected to further deliberate on party affairs at its upcoming national convention scheduled to hold in Abuja from March 27 to March 28, 2026.