President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed strong confidence in the internal stability of the All Progressives Congress (APC), assuring party faithful that all disputes arising from the nationwide primary elections will be addressed through established internal channels.

In a statement personally signed by the President from the State House in Abuja, Tinubu characterized the ongoing primaries which commenced with House of Representatives contests and culminate in the presidential primaries—as a crucial referendum on the ruling party’s unity, resilience, and democratic strength.

The President strongly advocated for consensus-building where possible, describing it as a commendable approach to minimizing rancour, friction, and internal divisions among party members. He noted with satisfaction the progress made by party leaders in exploring consensus options across various levels, urging members to utilize this window to guarantee a seamless internal process.

Where consensus arrangements are not feasible, President Tinubu enjoined all aspirants to approach the elective primaries with maturity and a strict spirit of sportsmanship. He urged winners to be magnanimous in victory and avoid gloating, while charging those who do not succeed to remain loyal to the party and prepare for future opportunities rather than attempting to undermine the collective structure.

He explicitly warned against a return to the destructive “do-or-die politics” of the past, emphasizing that politics should never be viewed as a zero-sum game because any victorious candidate ultimately carries the banner for the entire party.

For aspirants who feel aggrieved by the conduct or outcomes of the exercises, President Tinubu pointed out that the party has established robust internal appeal and redress committees specifically structured to look into complaints and provide fair resolution.

He called upon APC governors, party leadership, and state-level stakeholders to remain completely neutral, rise above personal sentiments, and provide a transparent, level playing field that guarantees the satisfaction of a fair contest for all participants. Additionally, the President made a special appeal for the inclusion and consideration of women and youth demographics within the contest parameters.

Turning his attention to internal security management during the exercises, the President cautioned the Nigeria Police Force and other deployed security agencies to maintain strict professionalism. He warned security operatives against acting as political interlopers, clarifying that their statutory duties center entirely on maintaining law, order, and peace at the voting venues.