President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Warns APC Against Division as Primaries Begin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the All Progressives Congress begins one of its most politically sensitive internal exercises ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a carefully worded appeal to party members nationwide, the President urged aspirants, governors, delegates, and party leaders to uphold peace, fairness, and discipline throughout the APC primary elections.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the primaries as far more than a routine political process for selecting candidates.

According to him, the exercise represents a major test of the APC’s democratic culture, internal resilience, and ability to manage political competition without descending into division or instability.
The nationwide primaries are expected to begin with contests involving House of Representatives aspirants before ending with the presidential primary scheduled for May 25, 2026. Tinubu encouraged consensus arrangements where possible, arguing that negotiated agreements can help preserve unity and reduce unnecessary internal conflict.

At the same time, the President acknowledged that many contests would inevitably require voting and therefore urged aspirants and supporters to demonstrate sportsmanship regardless of outcomes. His comments come amid increasing political maneuvering and heightened competition within the ruling party as influential figures position themselves for future leadership contests.

Unity and Internal Democracy Face Major Political Test

Unity within the APC has become increasingly sensitive as rival ambitions, regional interests, and succession calculations intensify ahead of the next national election cycle.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appeal reflects growing concern that poorly managed primaries could trigger defections, factional disputes, or long-term internal crises capable of weakening the party politically. Analysts note that internal party conflicts have historically contributed to instability within major Nigerian political organizations before national elections.

Tinubu specifically directed governors and party leaders to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants, a statement widely interpreted as an attempt to reduce accusations of favoritism, candidate imposition, and manipulation during delegate voting processes.
The President also urged stronger support for women and youth aspirants, signaling efforts by the APC leadership to project inclusiveness at a time when public criticism over political accessibility for younger Nigerians and female politicians continues growing.

Primaries Security, Political Pressure, and Public Expectations

Primaries in Nigeria are often accompanied by tension, allegations of irregularities, and concerns over political violence, making security arrangements a central issue during major party contests.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu therefore instructed security agencies to remain neutral, professional, and focused exclusively on maintaining peace throughout the exercise. The directive comes amid longstanding public concern regarding allegations of political interference and intimidation during elections and party primaries.

Political observers argue that the credibility of the APC primaries could significantly shape public perception of the ruling party’s commitment to democratic principles ahead of the 2027 general elections. Transparent and peaceful primaries are frequently viewed as indicators of broader political maturity and institutional discipline.
Critics, however, note that calls for fairness and unity often face their toughest tests once influential political interests begin openly competing for strategic positions and presidential influence within the party structure.

For now, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appeal for Unity during the APC Primaries has placed the ruling party under intense national scrutiny as Nigerians closely watch whether the country’s dominant political force can successfully manage internal competition peacefully, fairly, and democratically. OGM News Nigeria will continue monitoring developments, reactions, and emerging political alignments as the nationwide exercise unfolds.