President Tinubu Sends Strong Message to APC Leaders, Aspirants as Primaries Begin Saturday

President Bola Tinubu has urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to avoid internal clashes and “do-or-die” political behaviour as the party begins its nationwide primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a personally signed statement marking the commencement of the APC primary process, the President called on aspirants, party officials, and delegates to conduct themselves peacefully and ensure that internal democracy, fairness, and sportsmanship guide the exercise.

He noted that the primaries, which will start with House of Representatives contests and conclude with the presidential primary scheduled for May 25, 2026, are critical to sustaining unity and strengthening the ruling party.

According to him, political competition should not be treated as a winner-takes-all struggle.

He stressed that the era of “do-or-die” politics must remain in the past, adding that elections should serve as a constructive element of democratic practice rather than a source of division.

Tinubu appealed to all contestants to view the process as a collective effort to reinforce party cohesion.

Where consensus arrangements are not achievable, he encouraged aspirants to approach the primaries in a spirit of fraternity.

He further reminded participants that outcomes would inevitably produce both winners and losers, urging restraint on both sides.

Winners, he said, should avoid arrogance, while those who lose should accept results with dignity and prepare for future opportunities.

The President also acknowledged ongoing efforts within the party to adopt consensus-based candidate selection where possible, describing it as a useful mechanism for reducing tension and preventing internal conflict.

He called on party leadership, including governors and other influential stakeholders, to ensure fairness by guaranteeing equal opportunity for all aspirants, regardless of status or political alignment.

Tinubu additionally emphasized the importance of inclusivity, urging stronger participation of women and young people in the party’s selection processes, describing their involvement as a key priority.

On security involvement, he cautioned the police and other security agencies to limit their role strictly to maintaining peace and order during the primaries, warning against any form of interference in the political process.

The President wished all aspirants success, expressing confidence that the APC would emerge from the primaries more united.