By Onoja Baba, Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on All Progressives Congress (APC) members to conduct themselves with decorum and sportsmanship as the party kicks off its nationwide primary elections.
In a statement released on Thursday, President Tinubu described the primaries, which begin tomorrow with House of Representatives aspirants and will culminate in the presidential primaries on May 25, 2026, as a critical test of the party’s unity and resilience.
The President, who is also the APC National Leader, said the exercise should not be viewed merely as a contest to produce candidates but as “a referendum on our unity, resilience and strength as a party.”
He encouraged party leaders to continue pursuing consensus candidates in line with the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution, describing it as a commendable approach that would reduce rancour and promote unity.
“Where consensus fails, I urge us all to go into the primaries as brothers and sisters,” Tinubu said. “All participants must keep the peace and be ready to play as sportsmen and women in the overall interest of the party and our country.”
The President warned against rancorous conduct, urging winners not to gloat and losers to accept defeat gracefully and prepare for future opportunities. He stressed the need for party leaders to extend olive branches to defeated aspirants and avoid “do-or-die politics.”
“Politics should never be a zero-sum game. Any candidate that wins does so for all of us as a party,” he added.
President Tinubu also appealed for greater inclusion of women and youth in the primaries, describing them as significant demographics that should not be relegated.
He called on party leaders, governors and other stakeholders to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants and to remain fair and just in the conduct of the primaries.
On security, the President directed the Police and other security agencies to remain strictly professional, limiting their role to ensuring a peaceful exercise.
“I wish all our aspirants and party members good luck and a successful outing. I look forward to working with the victorious aspirants for the success of our great party in the general election,” President Tinubu stated.
The APC primaries mark the beginning of the party’s preparation for the 2027 general elections, as it heads into its fourth election cy
cle since its formation.
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