A former presidential hopeful of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Charles Udeogaranya, has strongly condemned the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
Udeogaranya, who vied for the APC ticket in 2019, described the move by the party's National Working Committee (NWC) and its governors as undemocratic and a betrayal of the principles on which democracy stands.
In a press statement released in Abuja on Friday, Udeogaranya voiced his deep dissatisfaction with the APC leadership’s decision to sideline internal party democracy by bypassing a competitive primary election. He argued that such actions would stifle alternative voices and prevent the emergence of innovative ideas needed to reposition Nigeria.
“Denying other aspirants the opportunity to contest under the APC banner is not only undemocratic but also harmful to national progress,” Udeogaranya stated. “Leadership should not be recycled through consensus when the nation is grappling with issues such as mass poverty, insecurity, economic stagnation, nepotism, and ineffective governance.”
He further criticized the idea of consensus candidacy, particularly in a country facing multifaceted challenges. Udeogaranya referenced historical champions of democracy, such as Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King Jr., to support his stance.
“This democracy, which was sparked by Thomas Jefferson’s 1776 Declaration of Independence, reinforced by Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Gettysburg Address, and echoed by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963, must not be silenced in Nigeria,” he declared. “As we approach the 2027 elections, Nigerians must be allowed to choose from a pool of competent leaders through a fair and transparent process.”
Udeogaranya’s remarks came in the wake of the APC National Summit held on Thursday, where President Tinubu received unanimous endorsement from 22 APC governors and the party’s top hierarchy. The endorsement was spearheaded by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who also chairs the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF). The motion was seconded by the Forum’s Vice Chairman, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.
The decision has ignited mixed reactions, with critics arguing that such endorsements reduce elections to a formality and eliminate the competition that strengthens democratic institutions.
Responding to the backlash, APC’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, defended the party’s approach. In an interview with The Punch, Duru clarified that President Tinubu is entitled to a “right of first refusal” as the incumbent and that primaries would only be held if he chooses not to seek re-election.
“The President, by virtue of his office and party leadership, reserves the right of first refusal. Should he decide not to contest in 2027, then we will open up the field to other aspirants through primaries,” Duru said.
Despite this defense, Udeogaranya and other concerned party members believe the endorsement undermines the ideals of participatory governance. He urged APC stakeholders to reconsider their stance and embrace a more inclusive process that reflects the will of party members and the Nigerian electorate.
“As we look to the future, the APC must remember that real democracy thrives not on anointment but on competition, merit, and the people’s mandate,” he concluded.
Post a Comment