President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) is urging members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to go into direct “primaries as brothers and sisters” where consensus arrangements fail.
By the Electoral Act (2026 as amended), political parties are required to field candidates for election through either a consensus or direct primaries.
APC was scheduled to start its primaries with the House of Representatives this Friday but has shifted to Saturday, May 16. However, the party says the HoR primary elections will now be held on Saturday, May 16.
According to a statement issued by Mr. Felix Morka, APC National Publicity Secretary, the primary elections for the other offices remain as follows: Senate, May 18; State House of Assembly, May 20; Governorship, May 21; and Presidential, May 23.
PBAT says the primaries are not a mere referendum on APC’s “unity, resilience, and strength as a party. They present an opportunity to renew the bond and ideals that we share.”
According to the president, consensus is a commendable option that would help in reducing rancour and bad blood among party members.
“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. 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 who 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.
“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.
“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.
“Lastly, the Police and other security agencies must remain professional and avoid acting as interlopers during this exercise. Your duties strictly centre on ensuring peaceful exercise. Nothing more.
“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,” says PBAT.
