President Bola Tinubu has appealed to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to conduct themselves peacefully and uphold fairness, unity and sportsmanship as the party begins its nationwide primaries on Friday.
Tinubu made the appeal in a statement personally signed on Thursday ahead of the exercise, which begins with House of Representatives primaries and is expected to conclude on May 25 with the presidential primaries.
The President described the primaries as more than a process for selecting candidates, saying they represented a major test of the ruling party’s cohesion, resilience and democratic values.
According to him, the exercise provides party members an opportunity to renew their commitment to the ideals upon which the APC was established.
“I am pleased to witness this historic moment in our party. The party we formed just yesterday is entering its fourth election cycle,” Tinubu said.
He recalled that the APC was founded on the principles of progressive politics, consensus-building, sacrifice and selfless service, noting that those values had sustained the party through previous elections.
Tinubu urged party faithful to strengthen those ideals as the APC prepares for another round of electoral contests across the country.
The President also commended efforts by party leaders and stakeholders to adopt consensus arrangements in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC constitution.
He said the consensus option remained a useful mechanism for reducing internal disputes, bitterness and divisions often associated with primary elections.
According to him, stakeholders should embrace consensus wherever possible to ensure a seamless process and preserve party unity ahead of the general elections.
However, Tinubu noted that in situations where consensus could not be achieved, aspirants and delegates must approach the primaries with maturity and a sense of brotherhood.
“All participants in the primaries, whether contestants or voters, must keep the peace and act as sportsmen and women in party interest,” he said.
The President cautioned against divisive politics, inflammatory conduct and actions capable of weakening internal democracy within the party.
He advised victorious aspirants against excessive celebration and urged unsuccessful contestants to accept outcomes in good faith and remain loyal to the party.
“Our opponents are waiting for us to fight each other; we should disappoint them. Winners should reach out to those who did not succeed,” Tinubu said.
The President further stressed the need for greater inclusion of women and youths in the party’s internal democratic processes, describing them as critical stakeholders in national development.
Tinubu also called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to maintain professionalism throughout the primaries and restrict their involvement to ensuring peaceful conduct of the exercise.
