By Ayo Kehinde
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has waived the presidential screening requirements for President Bola Tinubu, effectively affirming him as duly screened in line with the party’s constitution.
The decision, reached at the NWC’s 188th meeting held on Wednesday, May 6, at the party’s National Secretariat, underscores growing internal consensus and cohesion within the ruling party ahead of its presidential primaries.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the move was taken pursuant to the powers vested in the NWC under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of the party’s constitution.
The provisions empower the committee to organise and supervise party primaries and, where necessary, grant waivers in special circumstances in the overall interest of the party.
Morka explained that the decision reflects widespread confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership across key organs of the APC.
According to him, the President has already secured overwhelming endorsements and votes of confidence from critical stakeholders, including the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), leadership and members of the National Assembly, as well as other statutory bodies within the party.
He recalled that such endorsements were prominently expressed during the APC National Summit held on May 22, 2025, alongside other major party engagements.
The NWC further noted that, as the incumbent President and leader of the party, Tinubu had previously undergone comprehensive screening and clearance ahead of the 2022 presidential primaries. Consequently, requiring him to appear again before a screening committee at this stage would be redundant and unnecessary.
“The President, having been duly screened and cleared ahead of the 2022 presidential primaries, does not require a repeat exercise,” the statement read, adding that the waiver is consistent with established party procedures and precedents.
