The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has clarified the reason it did not submit the name of a presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, stating that the move was a deliberate political strategy rather than an oversight.
The party explained that its leadership had earlier resolved to support the re-election ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, making it unnecessary to field a presidential candidate for the upcoming polls.
According to Gossip News Now, the clarification came amid public discussions surrounding the absence of an APGA presidential nominee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal.
Party Says Decision Was Approved by National Executive Committee
Speaking on the development, APGA National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, disclosed that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) reached the decision after broad internal consultations.
He explained that the endorsement of President Tinubu for another term was a carefully considered political position adopted by the party’s leadership in what it believes serves the country’s broader interest.
Rather than describing the omission as an administrative issue, Opara emphasized that it reflected an intentional electoral strategy.
APGA Remains Active in Legislative Elections
Despite stepping away from the presidential race, APGA insisted that it remains fully committed to participating in other aspects of the 2027 elections.
The party confirmed that it has already completed the submission of candidates contesting for various legislative positions, including:
- State Houses of Assembly
- House of Representatives
- Senate
According to the party, all required nomination documents were submitted to INEC within the official deadline.
No Withdrawal From the General Election
The spokesman stressed that supporting President Tinubu should not be interpreted as an exit from the electoral contest.
He noted that APGA intends to vigorously campaign for its legislative candidates nationwide while strengthening its presence across both federal and state legislatures.
In his remarks, Opara conveyed that the party views its alliance at the presidential level as separate from its legislative ambitions, insisting that the organisation remains determined to expand its political influence.
Focus Shifts to Building Strong Legislative Representation
The party said its immediate priority is increasing the number of lawmakers elected under its platform.
According to APGA, securing additional seats in the National Assembly and various state assemblies will enable it to contribute more effectively to lawmaking, protect the interests of its supporters and advance its policy objectives.
Party officials also encouraged members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and campaign efforts for legislative candidates across the country while respecting the leadership’s position on the presidential election.
Why Tinubu Received APGA’s Backing
Explaining the rationale behind the endorsement, Opara maintained that supporting President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid does not diminish APGA’s identity as an independent political party.
Instead, he said the decision represents a strategic political calculation designed to balance national considerations with the party’s long-term objective of strengthening its legislative footprint.
He further noted that the absence of a presidential candidate should not be viewed as a failure to meet electoral obligations but as the implementation of a policy already adopted by the party’s leadership.
Analysis
APGA’s decision marks an unusual approach ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as the party has chosen to concentrate resources on legislative contests while aligning with the ruling party at the presidential level. Political observers believe the strategy could help the party consolidate influence in parliament, although its success will ultimately depend on voter acceptance and the performance of its candidates across the states.
