President Bola Tinubu stepped into the APC primary arena for the 2027 elections and declared the party’s internal democracy alive and thriving. He told party delegates the exercise was peaceful, well-organised, and open to every member. His appearance at the venue silenced critics who have accused the ruling party of high-handedness and godfatherism in candidate selection.
The primary arrives at a critical moment for the APC, which faces growing dissent from aggrieved factions over alleged marginalisation of key zones. Tinubu’s direct participation signals the presidency’s intent to project unity and transparency ahead of the general election. Opposition parties, particularly the PDP, have repeatedly accused the APC of manipulating internal processes to favour loyalists and stifle dissent.
Legal and electoral implications loom large. If the APC succeeds in delivering a credible primary, it could neutralise one of the PDP’s strongest campaign narratives—electoral malpractice within the ruling party. However, any visible cracks or last-minute defections could hand the opposition a potent weapon in the 2027 race. INEC observers are already on high alert, monitoring compliance with party guidelines and constitutional provisions.
Tinubu’s move is a calculated gamble. It forces the APC to either prove its democratic credentials or expose its internal fractures in real time. The next 48 hours will reveal whether the party’s unity is genuine or merely a staged performance for public consumption.
