The All Progressives Congress (APC) has clarified that despite the widespread endorsements of President Bola Tinubu for a second term, its 2027 presidential ticket remains open to all aspirants.

National Organising Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Sulaiman Argungu, made this known at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Argungu confirmed that the National Working Committee (NWC), state chapters, and governors across all six geopolitical zones had endorsed Tinubu. However, he stressed that this does not shut out other contenders.

“It is the wish of the party, and the NWC has already endorsed President Tinubu as our preferred candidate. Other party organs and governors across the states and zones have done the same. But that does not mean the door is closed,” he said.

According to him, when the official timetable is released, any member interested in the presidency will still be free to obtain expression of interest and nomination forms.

“Democracy does not permit dictatorship. While the majority have endorsed President Tinubu, anyone who wishes to contest under the APC will be allowed to do so,” Argungu added.

He further assured that the party would strictly adhere to the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the provisions of the Electoral Act to guarantee a transparent process.

Highlighting the APC’s recent bye-election victories in opposition strongholds, Argungu said the results reflect growing public confidence in Tinubu’s leadership and the party’s vision.

On reports that his office had been sidelined in the conduct of party primaries, he dismissed the claims, noting that reforms introduced since 2022 promote teamwork and transparency.

Speaking on the forthcoming governorship primary in Ekiti State, he confirmed that four aspirants, including the incumbent governor, have purchased forms.

“Two of them are men, while two are women who benefited from the APC’s gender-sensitive policy, which grants free nomination forms to female aspirants,” he explained.