APC Waives Screening for Tinubu Ahead of Primaries

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress has approved a waiver of screening requirements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, clearing him to participate in the party’s forthcoming primary elections without undergoing a fresh screening process.

The decision was taken at the 188th meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) held on Wednesday, according to a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.

The party said the move was in line with its constitution, noting that the NWC exercised its powers to grant waivers “in special circumstances” and in the overall interest of the party.

It explained that Tinubu, as the incumbent president and leader of the party, had already been screened and cleared ahead of the 2022 presidential primaries, making another screening exercise unnecessary.

“The National Working Committee resolved to waive, and has waived, screening requirements for His Excellency… and deemed him as duly screened in accordance with the Constitution of the Party,” the statement read.

The NWC also cited what it described as widespread endorsement of the president by key organs of the party, including the Progressive Governors Forum and members of the National Assembly.

According to the party, such backing was evident at its National Summit held in May 2025 and other statutory gatherings, where Tinubu received a vote of confidence from stakeholders.

The APC maintained that requiring the president to appear before a screening panel again would be “redundant and unnecessary,” given his status and prior clearance.

The development signals early consolidation within the ruling party ahead of the next round of primary elections, with the leadership moving to streamline processes for its top contender.