Ceding 2027 presidential ticket to Tinubu undemocratic – ACF

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has faulted the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC’s) adoption of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election. Speaking to the BBC Hausa monitored by our correspondent yesterday, the ACF’s Spokesperson, Prof. Tukur Muhammad Baba, insisted that handing over the presidential ticket to Tinubu […]

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has faulted the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC’s) adoption of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking to the BBC Hausa monitored by our correspondent yesterday, the ACF’s Spokesperson, Prof. Tukur Muhammad Baba, insisted that handing over the presidential ticket to Tinubu unopposed would be unconstitutional and undemocratic. 

Recall that APC leaders had during their summit in Abuja in May this year, endorsed and adopted Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the presidential poll in 2027. 

Later in an interview, the APC National Organising Secretary, 

Suleiman Argungu, said the party would not print only one copy of expression of interest and nomination forms, but print more copies for those who want to contest against the president. 

But analysts said the printing and sale of such forms would be to generate income for the party, stressing that the party’s decision to cede the ticket to Tinubu will not change.

But the ACF spokesman said such pronouncements undermine Nigeria’s Constitution and run contrary to democratic principles.

“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.

“By law, every Nigerian, not just from a particular zone, who meets the criteria laid down by the electoral commission can contest any position, including the presidency, “he said.

Prof. Baba stressed that although ACF is not a political party, it has a responsibility to speak on governance and political issues that affect the North and the country at large and urged the APC to allow open competition rather than close ranks around a single aspirant.

Reacting,  the APC’s National Director of Publicity,  Bala Ibrahim, said while the Constitution guarantees the right of every qualified Nigerian to run for office, political parties also reserve the right to support aspirants of their choice.

“There is no question about it, the Constitution allows any qualified Nigerian to contest. But a political party also has its own preferences. Parties rally behind candidates they believe best represent their interests.

“That does not mean others will be stopped from trying. 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.