President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged leaders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress to uphold fairness, unity and sportsmanship as the party begins its nationwide primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, calling for a level playing field for all aspirants.
In a personally signed message released on Thursday indicating the commencement of the primaries, President Tinubu urged party leaders, governors and stakeholders to provide a level playing field for all aspirants, stressing that the process must be conducted without bias or hindrance.
The President noted that although only one aspirant would emerge victorious for each elective position, those who do not succeed should be satisfied that the contest was transparent and credible.
“We founded the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the firm principles of progressive politics, consensus democracy, and personal devotion and sacrifice. This principle of selflessness and devotion has seen us go through each election cycle and come out firmer together. We must consolidate our efforts as we go into the primaries tomorrow.
“The primary elections, kicking off with those for House of Representatives aspirants and culminating in the presidential primaries on May 25, 2026, are not mere exercises to produce our standard-bearers. They are a referendum on our unity, resilience and strength as a party. They present an opportunity to renew the bond and ideals that we share.
“To the party leadership, our governors, and other leaders, I urge you to be fair and just. You must rise above sentiment to offer all aspirants a level playing field that guarantees participation without let or hindrance. While only one person will win for every seat contested, we should give eventual losers the satisfaction of a fair contest,” he stated.
President Tinubu commended ongoing efforts by party leaders to adopt consensus arrangements in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC constitution, noting that such measures would help minimise rancour and deepen party cohesion.
” I am aware that, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act (2026) and our party’s constitution, leaders at various levels have initiated conversations to produce consensus candidates. It is a commendable option that would help in reducing rancour and bad blood among party members. I note the impressive progress made in this regard and encourage fellow party members to make the most of this window to ensure a seamless process and a more unified party.” The President said.
President Tinubu also appealed for greater inclusion of women and youths in the electoral process, describing the two groups as critical demographics that must not be sidelined in the party’s internal democratic exercise.
“The inclusion of women and youth is dear to my heart. I appeal to voters in the primaries and leaders at all levels to give special consideration to our women and youth in the contest. We cannot afford to relegate the two significant demographics of our population.”
Reflecting on the journey of the APC, the President expressed pride that the party was entering its fourth election cycle since its formation, noting that the party was founded on the ideals of progressive politics, consensus democracy, sacrifice and selflessness.
‘An election is an essential ingredient of democracy. Where consensus fails, I urge us all to go into the primaries as brothers and sisters. All participants in the primaries, as contestants or voters, must keep the peace and be ready to play as sportsmen and women in the overall interest of the party and our country. We cannot afford rancorous conduct or the debasement of our democracy and party unity. In every contest, there will be a winner and a loser,” the president emphasised.
The President emphasised that where consensus fails, aspirants and party members should approach the primaries peacefully and conduct themselves with maturity and sportsmanship in the overall interest of the party and the country.
“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. 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.”
Winners and party leaders at all levels should reach out to those who did not succeed with olive branches. We should not play the politics of old; the do-or-die politics that we have put behind us. Politics should never be a zero-sum game. Any candidate that wins does so for all of us as a party. Those who lost out have the opportunity to appeal to the party’s committees set up for redress.
He described the primaries, beginning with the House of Representatives contests and culminating in the presidential primary scheduled for May 25, 2026, as more than a routine political exercise but a referendum on the party’s unity, resilience and collective strength.
President Tinubu further advised party leaders and victorious candidates to extend reconciliation and inclusiveness to aggrieved members, cautioning against a return to “do-or-die politics” which, according to him, undermines democracy and party unity.
The President also directed the Police and other security agencies to remain professional throughout the exercise, emphasising that their role should strictly be limited to maintaining peace and order during the primaries.
He wished all aspirants and party members a successful outing and expressed optimism about working with victorious candidates ahead of the general elections.
