APC Adopts Direct Presidential Primary as Shettima Submits Tinubu’s Forms

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally adopted the direct primary system for its presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election, even as Vice President Kashim Shettima submitted President Bola Tinubu’s nomination and expression of interest forms to the party leadership in Abuja on Thursday.

The submission took place at the Shettima Hall of the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre, where the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, received the documents alongside members of the party’s National Working Committee.

Shettima, who led a high-powered delegation of governors, federal lawmakers, ministers and party chieftains, used the occasion to rally support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid, describing him as a leader who has shown resilience in steering the country through economic and political challenges since 2023.

“On behalf of our great party, I urge all Nigerians, irrespective of differences in political affiliations, religious persuasions, private or social background, to support this nomination and, by the special grace of God, the candidacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027,” Shettima said.

He added that Tinubu’s administration had demonstrated “courage and resolve” in implementing reforms aimed at stabilising the economy and laying a foundation for long-term development.

“As he seeks to lead us for another four years through thick and thin, the president has proved his mettle and has shown the world that his capacity and resolve to pull the nation out of the woods remain,” he said.

President Tinubu had earlier picked up the nomination forms, reportedly worth N100 million, through a proxy, House of Representatives member James Faleke.

At the ceremony, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda said the party remained united behind the president, adding that the leadership had already endorsed his re-election bid based on what he described as “tangible progress” recorded under his administration.

“Our National Executive Committee, which is the second-highest decision-making organ of the party, has already endorsed Mr President and we stand firmly by that decision,” Yilwatda said.

He added that fiscal reforms introduced by the administration had improved revenue allocation to states and local governments, enabling increased developmental projects across the country.

The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, used the platform to formally announce that the party had adopted the direct primary system for selecting its presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 polls.

He said the decision aligned with the party’s internal democratic process, stressing that while Tinubu enjoys strong institutional backing, the process remains open to any interested aspirant within the APC.

“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.

Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, said APC governors had reached a consensus to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“We are united and we 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, also expressed confidence that the president would secure another term, citing widespread support for his policies.

“President Tinubu’s re-election is guaranteed because he has done very well for this country. Nigerians are waiting to vote for him in 2027,” he said.

The event attracted several governors, including Mai Buni of Yobe, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Dikko Radda of Katsina, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Umar Bago of Niger, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba, among others.

Also in attendance were federal lawmakers, ministers, former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, and other senior party stakeholders, in what observers described as a show of unity within the ruling party ahead of the next election cycle.