In what many political observers view as a strategic move to solidify President Bola Tinubu’s grip on the 2027 ticket, the APC National Working Committee has cleared the President of all screening requirements. By invoking specific constitutional powers, the party has essentially declared Tinubu “duly screened,” citing his previous clearance in 2022 and his current status as the party’s undisputed leader.
The timing of the announcement—coming exactly a year after the May 2025 National Summit where endorsements began to pour in—signals the party’s intent to avoid internal friction. While the NWC frames this as a “pragmatic waiver” to avoid redundancy, it effectively narrows the window for potential challengers within the party.
Despite the emergence of long-shot contenders like Osifo Stanley, the APC’s top brass is doubling down on the “incumbency advantage.” With the backing of the National Assembly and the Progressive Governors, this waiver transforms the upcoming primaries into a mere formality for the President. Critics may argue this bypasses the traditional democratic vetting process, but for the APC leadership, the focus is clearly on stability and continuity over internal competition.
