The All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that any interested member is free to contest its 2027 presidential ticket, even though the party has adopted President Bola Tinubu for a second term bid.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen on Sunday, the party’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, Chidi Duru, explained that while the APC may prefer consensus, it remains open to aspirants willing to test their popularity.
According to him, the approach reflects internal democracy within the party, stressing that no member would be stopped from joining the race.
He added that incumbents often enjoy an advantage when seeking re-election, describing it as a “right of first refusal” that encourages performance and accountability.
Duru also noted that political parties tend to field candidates who align with their ideology and have delivered on promises, warning that unpopular candidates could hurt electoral chances. He said extending the consensus principle to governors and other first-term office holders could motivate performance and strengthen party discipline.
The APC chieftain further stated that the constitution allows presidents and governors to seek second terms, adding that party members usually respect this provision.
His comments come ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled to hold in Abuja from March 27 to March 28, 2026. In preparation, the National Working Committee reaffirmed its zoning arrangement for key leadership positions.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the power-sharing formula across the six geopolitical zones remains in place to maintain internal balance and cohesion as preparations continue for the 2027 general elections
