Trending 
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially opened the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries across Nigeria, calling the moment historic and a testament to the party’s growth since its formation.
In a statement released on May 14, 2026, Tinubu reflected on the party’s journey, highlighting its foundation on “progressive politics, consensus democracy, and personal devotion and sacrifice,” which he said has strengthened the APC through successive election cycles.
The primaries, beginning with House of Representatives contests and culminating in the presidential race on May 25, 2026, are more than a selection of candidates. Tinubu described them as “a referendum on our unity, resilience and strength as a party,” presenting an opportunity for members to renew their commitment to shared ideals.
Acknowledging efforts at consensus candidacies, the president praised leaders for fostering dialogue to reduce conflict and encouraged aspirants to maintain peaceful conduct during voting.
He stressed that “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.”
He reminded winners to exercise humility and losers to show sportsmanship, noting that “the ultimate winners are those who don’t choose to wreck the boat but rather work to prepare for another round.”
Tinubu also urged party officials to ensure fairness, provide a level playing field, and support inclusivity, particularly for women and youth, who he described as “significant demographics of our population.”
Security agencies were advised to remain professional and limit their role to maintaining order.
Concluding his statement, Tinubu wished all aspirants success and emphasised collaboration with victorious candidates to strengthen the APC ahead of the general elections.
