|By Adejumo Adekunle
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it will not block any of its members from contesting the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite its open support for Bola Tinubu to seek a second term.
While party leaders have publicly endorsed President Tinubu’s re-election ambition, the APC insists that its internal democratic process will remain intact, allowing other aspirants to freely contest.
Speaking on the development, the party’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, Chidi Duru, stressed that internal democracy remains a fundamental principle of the APC.
“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 although the party may eventually settle for a consensus candidate, it cannot exclude members who wish to test their popularity at the primaries.
He noted that incumbents often enjoy a natural advantage, especially when party members are satisfied with their performance in office.
According to him, this reflects the political principle known as the “right of first refusal,” where serving leaders who perform well are given the opportunity to seek re-election.
He added that performance remains a critical factor in determining whether a candidate is re-presented to voters.
“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 stated.
The APC official further noted that this principle applies not only to the presidency but also to governors and other elected officials, emphasizing that those who perform creditably should be allowed to complete a second term.
Addressing concerns about possible internal conflicts, Duru pointed out that the constitution guarantees the right of elected officials, including presidents and governors, to seek re-election.
The party is expected to deliberate further on key issues at its upcoming national convention scheduled to hold in Abuja from March 27 to March 28, 2026.
