President Bola Tinubu stepped onto the floor of an APC primary venue yesterday and declared the party’s internal democracy flawless. He called the exercise grassroots politics where every member has a vote. The event was not a dress rehearsal; it was the opening salvo of Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
The primary exposed a deliberate strategy to silence dissent before it starts. Tinubu’s camp handpicked delegates, controlled the accreditation process and ensured no rival candidate could muster a credible challenge. The president’s speech praised peace and organisation, yet the hall had no opposition banners, no rival agents, and no independent observers from civil society groups.
Legal threats loom immediately. Opposition parties have already filed petitions with INEC alleging delegate list manipulation. The Electoral Act mandates open primaries; Tinubu’s closed-door affair risks disqualification if courts rule against it. Inside APC, governors from the North-West bloc are watching closely. They want the same delegate control for their own 2027 ambitions and will demand Tinubu reciprocate or face legislative sabotage.
This primary was never about democracy. It was a power consolidation move by Tinubu to eliminate internal rivals and set the stage for a coronation in 2027. The message is clear: cross him and you leave the party.
