President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) across the country to embrace democratic principles by conducting primary elections wherever consensus arrangements fail ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President made the appeal in a statement released on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stressing the need for unity, peace, and internal democracy within the party.
Tinubu Calls for Peaceful APC Primaries
According to the statement, President Tinubu advised all aspirants, party delegates, and stakeholders participating in the APC primaries to maintain peace and demonstrate sportsmanship throughout the electoral process.
He warned against actions capable of causing division within the party, noting that the APC must avoid rancorous conduct that could weaken its unity ahead of the highly anticipated 2027 elections.
“Election is an essential ingredient of democracy. Where consensus fails, I urge us all to go into the primaries as brothers and sisters,” the President stated.
Tinubu further emphasized that both winners and losers in any political contest have responsibilities to protect the unity and stability of the party.
Winners Should Be Humble, Losers Must Show Sportsmanship
President Tinubu urged victorious aspirants not to mock or intimidate opponents after winning party primaries. He also encouraged those who may lose to accept the outcome in good faith and continue supporting the party.
“In every contest, there will be a winner and a loser. I urge the winners not to gloat in victory and the losers to show sportsmanship by taking things in their stride and preparing for another time,” he said.
The President added that political maturity and unity remain critical for the APC as opposition parties prepare for the 2027 political contest.
“The ultimate winners are those who don’t choose to wreck the boat but rather work to prepare for another round. Our opponents are waiting for us to be against each other; we should disappoint them,” Tinubu added.
APC Intensifies Preparations for 2027 Elections
Political analysts believe the President’s message is aimed at reducing internal conflicts and strengthening cohesion within the APC ahead of the next election cycle.
In recent months, discussions around consensus candidacies and party primaries have continued to dominate political conversations across several states, with many party members expressing different opinions on candidate selection processes.
Observers say Tinubu’s directive may help encourage transparent and competitive primaries while preserving party discipline and democratic values.