President Bola Tinubu has urged members of the All-Progressives Congress to avoid infighting and the kind of “do-or-die” politics that often fuels divisions, as the ruling party begins its nationwide primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement personally signed on Thursday, Tinubu appealed to aspirants, delegates and party leaders to conduct themselves peacefully and uphold the principles of fairness, internal democracy and sportsmanship throughout the exercise.
The President described the primaries which begin with the House of Representatives contests and will culminate in the presidential primary scheduled for May 25 — as a crucial test for the party’s unity and future.
According to him, politics should not return to the old culture of desperation and winner-takes-all contests.
He said elections remain an important component of democracy and called on party members to see the primaries as a process for strengthening the party rather than creating new divisions.
Tinubu urged contestants to approach the exercise as brothers and sisters, stressing that all participants, whether aspirants or voters, must maintain peace and act in the broader interest of both the party and the country.
He also cautioned that while every contest produces winners and losers, successful aspirants should not celebrate in a way that humiliates others, while those who lose should accept the outcome in good faith and prepare for future opportunities.
The President said he was aware that party leaders across different states had begun consultations to produce consensus candidates in line with the Electoral Act and the APC constitution.
He described the consensus option as commendable, saying it could help reduce rancour and prevent bad blood among party members.
Tinubu further appealed to governors and other influential leaders within the party to guarantee a level playing field for all aspirants, urging them to act above personal interests or sentiment.
He also called for greater inclusion of women and young people in the process, noting that their participation remains important to the party’s future.
The President warned the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to limit their roles strictly to maintaining peace and order during the primaries, saying they should not interfere beyond that responsibility.
He expressed confidence that the APC would emerge stronger after the primaries and wished all aspirants success in the exercise.
