Tinubu Rejects Candidate Imposition, Orders APC Leadership to Restore Party Integrity

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has voiced strong disapproval over the conduct of the All Progressives Congress legislative primaries, making it clear that he did not authorise the imposition of candidates. Akahi News learnt that the President gave the directive during a late-night meeting with South-West APC leaders at his Ikoyi residence in Bourdillon.

It is not a child’s play when party members feel their voices are silenced by backroom decisions. But when will grassroots loyalists begin to see that internal democracy is more than a slogan? Tinubu’s intervention suggests the issue has reached the highest level.

What Tinubu Told Party Leaders

Akahi News gathered that the President described himself as a constitutional democrat and reminded leaders that giving governors room to coordinate party affairs was never a licence for indiscriminate imposition. “Even where necessary, no one should be a judge in his own case,” he was quoted as saying by sources at the meeting.

He admitted being unsettled by reports coming from several states. The President said where free and fair primaries did not hold, he had directed the National Chairman and National Secretary to take steps to restore the party’s credibility.

The question now is whether those instructions will be carried out without further delay. For aspirants who claim they were shut out, words alone will not settle the matter.

States Where Tensions Flared

Akahi News had earlier reported that the nationwide APC legislative primaries sparked controversy in Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Ondo, Imo, Rivers, Benue and Adamawa. Aggrieved aspirants and delegates alleged irregularities, voter intimidation, candidate imposition and the deliberate sidelining of delegates.

In some centres, protests disrupted proceedings. In others, parallel primaries emerged, leaving the party with competing claims to legitimacy. Such fractures, if not addressed, could weaken the APC’s chances in the general elections.

Can a party claim to represent the people when its own members feel disenfranchised before the main contest even begins?

APC National Chairman Issues Warning

It was alleged that some members sought to inflame tensions to gain leverage in negotiations. APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda responded swiftly, warning that anyone found instigating violence or undermining the process would face severe disciplinary action, including immediate suspension.

The warning signals that the party leadership is aware of the damage unchecked disputes can cause. Yet, discipline must be applied fairly if it is to restore confidence rather than deepen resentment.

For young Nigerians watching from the sidelines, the episode is a lesson in how internal party mechanics shape national politics. Trust in institutions starts with fairness at the ward and state levels.

Students preparing for higher education in Ile-Ife and beyond should understand that political stability affects access to education and jobs. For those aiming at OAU Ile-Ife, University of Nigeria, University of Lagos, University of Calabar, University of Ibadan, University of Ilorin and other institutions, preparation remains key. Akahi Tutors in Ile-Ife offers coaching for Post UTME, Pre-degree, WAEC and NECO, GCE, JUPEB, and School of Nursing entrance examinations. Contact 08038644328 or WhatsApp http://wa.me/2348038644328.

Why This Matters for Nigeria’s Democracy

The primaries are meant to produce candidates who reflect the will of party members. When imposition replaces selection, apathy grows and the legitimacy of outcomes suffers. Tinubu’s public stance puts pressure on the party machinery to correct course.

Philosophically, democracy without internal democracy is a contradiction. A party that cannot manage its own selection process struggles to convince citizens it can manage the nation.

The next few weeks will test whether the National Chairman and National Secretary can act decisively. Restoring integrity means more than issuing statements. It requires transparent reviews, repeat primaries where necessary, and protection for delegates who come forward with evidence.

For families preparing children for university, discipline and fairness at home mirror what citizens expect in public life. Akahi Tutors in Ile-Ife continues to support candidates preparing for Post UTME, Pre-degree, WAEC and NECO, GCE, JUPEB, and School of Nursing entrance exams. Reach them on 08038644328 or WhatsApp http://wa.me/2348038644328.

Tinubu’s rejection of candidate imposition has set the tone for damage control within the APC. The party now faces a choice between cosmetic fixes and genuine reform.

Nigerians will judge the APC not by its promises, but by how it handles its own internal contest. Follow Akahi News for updates on party politics, governance and national developments.