ACF says “no one should be blocked” from running for president
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has come out strongly against suggestions that no member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) should challenge President Bola Tinubu for the party’s presidential ticket in 2027.
The northern socio-political group says such a move goes against the spirit of Nigeria’s Constitution and the basic tenets of democracy.
“Every qualified Nigerian can contest” — ACF
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, ACF spokesperson Prof. Tukur Muhammad Baba made it clear that every Nigerian has the right to run for office, regardless of where they’re from — as long as they meet the legal requirements.
“As long as democracy is in practice and the Constitution remains operational, it sets out the conditions any citizen must fulfil before vying for office,” he said.
He added that while the ACF isn’t a political party, it has a duty to weigh in on political matters that could affect national unity and governance.
APC responds: We’ll still back our preferred candidates
Responding to ACF’s position, APC’s Director of Publicity, Malam Bala Ibrahim, acknowledged that while the Constitution protects the right of every qualified Nigerian to run, political parties are still free to support whoever they believe is best.
“Anyone who qualifies can campaign. But at the end of the day, the party will screen and choose who it considers most suitable,” Ibrahim said.
Why this matters
With political chatter around the 2027 elections already picking up, this debate highlights the tension between open democratic processes and party loyalty. While Tinubu’s supporters want him to run unchallenged, voices like the ACF are pushing for a fair playing field — one that allows competition, even within the ruling party.
