The All Progressives Congress has waived the screening requirements for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the party’s presidential primary for the 2027 general election.
The decision was reached during the 188th meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) held on Wednesday.
APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the party leadership considered Tinubu already qualified and duly screened based on his previous participation in the APC presidential primary process.
According to Morka, the NWC resolved that the president would not be required to physically appear before any screening panel ahead of the upcoming primary election.
“The NWC deemed him as duly screened in accordance with the Constitution of the Party for the purpose of participation in the upcoming primary elections,” the statement said.
The party explained that the decision was backed by provisions of the APC constitution which empower the NWC to organise and supervise party primaries and grant waivers when necessary.
“This decision was made pursuant to the powers conferred on the NWC under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of the Constitution of APC to organise and supervise the party’s primaries and, in special circumstances, grant waivers, in the best interest of the party,” the statement added.
According to the APC leadership, Tinubu has continued to enjoy strong backing from major organs and stakeholders within the ruling party.
The NWC cited endorsements from the Progressive Governors Forum, members of the National Assembly, and other party structures during the APC National Summit held on May 22, 2025.
The committee further argued that requiring Tinubu to undergo another screening exercise would be unnecessary since he had already been screened and cleared ahead of the 2022 APC presidential primary.
“It noted further that, as the incumbent president and leader of our great party, having been duly screened and cleared ahead of the 2022 presidential primaries, requiring his physical appearance before a screening committee at this time would be redundant and unnecessary,” Morka stated.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke, has already purchased the president’s nomination form for the 2027 presidential contest.
Tinubu emerged victorious in the 2023 presidential election after defeating Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi, who contested under the Labour Party.
