The All Progressives Congress has approved a waiver of the screening process for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the party’s 2027 presidential primaries.

The decision was reached on Wednesday during the 188th meeting of the party’s National Working Committee held at its national secretariat in Abuja.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC said the President had been deemed duly cleared to participate in the primaries in line with its constitution.

The party explained that the waiver was granted under provisions empowering the NWC to organise and supervise primaries and, where necessary, make exceptions in the party’s interest.

It noted that Tinubu, as the incumbent President and leader of the party, had already undergone screening prior to the 2022 presidential primaries, making a fresh exercise unnecessary.

The statement also cited the President’s endorsement by key party stakeholders, including governors, federal lawmakers and other organs, as a factor in the decision.

Meanwhile, the party had earlier commenced the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms, with the process scheduled to close on May 6, while screening of other aspirants is expected to begin on May 8.

A member of the House of Representatives, James Faleke, had purchased the N100 million nomination and expression of interest forms on behalf of the President.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state assembly polls are slated for February 6, 2027.

INEC also announced that party primaries will hold between April 23 and May 30, 2026, with campaigns for the general elections expected to commence in August.