By Jane Salihu
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday formally adopted the direct primary system for the emergence of its presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election, even as Vice President Kashim Shettima submitted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nomination and expression of interest forms to the party leadership in Abuja.
The development came amid a strong show of unity within the ruling party, as governors, ministers, lawmakers and top APC stakeholders rallied behind President Tinubu’s second-term bid during the ceremony held at the Shettima Hall of the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre.
Receiving the documents on behalf of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda declared that the party remained firmly behind the president, citing what he described as visible progress recorded under the Tinubu administration since 2023.
Leading a high-powered delegation to the event, Shettima urged Nigerians across political, ethnic and religious lines to support Tinubu’s re-election ambition, describing the president as a courageous leader determined to reposition the country despite prevailing economic challenges.
“On behalf of our great party, I urge all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliations or social background, to support this nomination and, by the grace of God, the candidacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027,” Shettima said.
He noted that the administration had shown resilience through difficult reforms aimed at stabilising the economy and laying the foundation for long-term national growth.
“As he seeks another four years in office, the president has demonstrated capacity, courage and the resolve to pull Nigeria out of the woods,” he added.
President Tinubu had earlier obtained the party’s nomination forms reportedly valued at N100 million through a proxy, member of the House of Representatives, James Faleke.
In a major announcement at the event, APC National Secretary Ajibola Bashiru disclosed that the party had officially adopted the direct primary mode for selecting its presidential candidate.
According to him, while President Tinubu enjoys overwhelming institutional backing within the APC, the process remains open to any interested aspirant willing to contest for the ticket.
“The party has adopted direct primary for the emergence of its presidential candidate. Whoever is willing to contest against President Tinubu can do so,” Bashiru stated.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, said APC governors had unanimously resolved to support Tinubu’s re-election.
“We are united and have reached a consensus in supporting President Tinubu to continue the good work he is doing for Nigeria,” Uzodimma said.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, expressed confidence that Nigerians would return the president to office in 2027, insisting that his policies were already yielding results.
“President Tinubu’s re-election is guaranteed because he has done very well for this country,” the Speaker declared.
The event attracted several APC governors, including Mai Mala Buni, Babagana Zulum, Dapo Abiodun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Dikko Radda, Abdullahi Sule, Umar Bago, Caleb Mutfwang and Agbu Kefas, among others.
Former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, ministers, federal lawmakers and senior party figures were also present in what political observers described as an early demonstration of strength and internal cohesion by the ruling party ahead of the 2027 electoral contest.
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