APC Waives Screening Requirements for President Tinubu Ahead of Primaries

The National Working Committee (NWC) of Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has waived screening requirements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, clearing him to participate in the party's upcoming primary elections without undergoing the standard vetting process.

The decision came at the NWC's 188th meeting on May 6, 2026, held at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. The committee invoked Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of the APC constitution, which grants the NWC authority to organize and supervise primaries and issue waivers under special circumstances.

The party justified the waiver by citing Tinubu's overwhelming endorsement from key stakeholders, including the Progressive Governors Forum and National Assembly members. The APC also noted that Tinubu had already been cleared ahead of the 2022 presidential primaries, making a repeat appearance before a screening committee redundant. National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka stated that requiring the incumbent president to undergo screening again would be unnecessary.

The move effectively removes the last procedural hurdle for Tinubu ahead of the APC's primary contest, positioning him as the party's presumptive nominee as the election cycle advances.