Tinubu gets 2027 APC ticket unopposed as Presidency defends ‘well-deserved’ second term

President Bola Tinubu has been officially adopted as the sole presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election, sparking debate but receiving strong backing from the party leadership and the Presidency.

The endorsement came after a midterm performance assessment that, according to top APC officials, confirmed Tinubu’s performance as worthy of re-election. The announcement followed a series of endorsements on Thursday, May 22, by both the APC National Assembly Caucus and the Progressive Governors’ Forum during the APC National Summit in Abuja.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday night, Daniel Bwala, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, defended the decision, calling it a reflection of the President’s “development-driven” leadership and the party’s commitment to introspection.

“What happened is a beauty to behold, it’s a tapestry of organization,” Bwala said. “It goes to show that APC, as a progressive party, is living up to its creed.”

Bwala emphasized that Tinubu voluntarily submitted to a performance evaluation, which served as the basis for the party’s decision to back him unopposed.

“You have to be able to decide within the party a direction, then you can come out to say this is what we think,” he added.

The Presidency cited several economic and governance improvements under Tinubu’s administration, particularly in revenue generation, debt servicing, and salary payments by state governments, as tangible proof of his impact.

“States that could not pay salaries then, most of them are now meeting the minimum wage, doing projects, and even paying debts—because of increased revenue driven by the president,” Bwala stated.

He also sought to clarify that the event was strictly a party-level decision, not a national campaign launch, dismissing criticisms that the endorsement preempts public opinion.

“What happened is not in any way suggesting to Nigerians that the party has done everything. It was our own internal examination before we bring in the external examiners—who are Nigerians,” he said.

Bwala stressed that Tinubu’s government has made substantial progress in areas ranging from infrastructure to education (via NELFUND) and security, adding that this performance—two years into his tenure—justifies a vote of confidence and renewed mandate.