The decision was reached during the 188th meeting of the party’s National Working Committee held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the APC National Secretariat.
In a statement released after the meeting by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC explained that the move followed powers granted to the NWC under Article 13.4 of the party’s constitution, which allows the committee to organise party primaries and approve waivers when necessary in the interest of the party.
According to the statement, the committee agreed to exempt President Tinubu from appearing before any screening panel and confirmed him as duly screened in line with the party’s constitutional guidelines ahead of the primaries.
The APC stated that the President had already received strong endorsements and votes of confidence from several important organs within the party, including the Progressive Governors Forum, members of the National Assembly, and other party stakeholders during the APC National Summit held on May 22, 2025, alongside other major party events.
The party also noted that Tinubu had already undergone screening and clearance before the 2022 presidential primaries. As the current President and leader of the party, asking him to appear before another screening committee was considered unnecessary.
The APC began the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28, while the process officially closed at midnight on May 6.
Screening of aspirants is expected to begin on May 8.
Meanwhile, the founder of the Tinubu Support Groups and member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, James Faleke, purchased the N100 million expression of interest and nomination forms for the President on April 28.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
INEC also announced that party primaries and the settlement of disputes arising from them will hold between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
Campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and State Assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.
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