2027: “We Can’t Stop Anyone” — APC Says Aspirants Free to Run Against Tinubu

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it will not block any member from contesting its 2027 presidential ticket, even as the party moves to back President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

The position of the ruling party comes amid growing political discussions ahead of the next general election.

While the APC leadership has openly shown support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, it insists that the race will not be closed to other aspirants within its fold.

Speaking on the matter, the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the party, Chidi Duru, made it clear that the APC remains open to internal competition.

“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 it happen that there is a member of the party who would like to throw his hat in the ring? He is more than welcome,” he said.

Duru explained that although consensus may likely be adopted, the party cannot stop any interested member from seeking the presidential ticket. According to him, such openness reflects the democratic nature of the APC.

He, however, stressed that incumbent leaders usually enjoy certain advantages, especially when party members are satisfied with their performance in office.

He described this as part of the broader political tradition that allows serving leaders to seek another term.

Speaking further, he linked the idea of the “right of first refusal” to performance and party expectations.

“The reason for this, and I have always advocated that, is the call on political parties to ensure that those they give the ticket of the party are those who will carry out to the fullest its ideology and manifesto to the tilt. Because if they do, they will then be re-elected. They will have the right of first refusal, and they will be the people who will be presented to the electorate to vote for them.

“But if they are unpopular candidates, that is if they are people who did not perform to the liking of the citizens, it means that the political party can’t risk having those people occupying the offices, whether it is a national legislative office or executive office.

“The tendency will mean that the party will lose that election. So, it is a call to duty, and that is what then recommends the option of first right of refusal,” he said.

The APC chieftain added that the same principle could apply beyond the presidency. He said governors and other elected officials who perform well should be given the chance to complete a second term.

“It is my personal view that executives who have done one term and have an opportunity for a second term should be granted the right of first refusal for the reasons I have espoused.

“It is on that basis that political parties are kept on their toes to ensure that those who occupy offices deliver on the mandate of the party, knowing fully well that those occupying those offices, when it is time for re-election, will be offered the automatic ticket, right of first refusal, and be presented to the electorate in the given constituency.

“So there are two things that go for it. One, the party is vigilant. The party holds those in positions accountable to deliver on the mandate given them. And then the motive that comes with the next election, of which they have a right to recontest, is that if they do not perform, then they will lose the election. So, there is something that goes for that first right of refusal,” he stated.

On concerns that such an arrangement could cause internal crisis, Duru pointed to constitutional backing for second-term bids, noting that it remains a legitimate right for elected leaders.

“It is not for nothing that the constitution provides the possibility for elected governors and the president of the country to run for a second term. I believe that party members will always understand that once it’s a constitutional provision, you cannot deny or exclude the possibility of second re-election,” he said.

The development comes as the APC prepares for its national convention scheduled to take place in Abuja between March 27 and March 28, 2026.