2027: APC to present Certificate of Return to Tinubu on Sunday, President says ‘this is a demonstration of internal democracy’

President Bola Tinubu will on Sunday receive the Certificate of Return and the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

The presentation will take place in Abuja, following the nationwide collation of the results of the party’s presidential primary elections.

This is contained in a statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, released in Abuja on Saturday.

According to Onanuga, the APC Presidential Primary Election Committee will formally present the party certificate and flag to the President at the event.

APC governors, members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), National Working Committee (NWC), members of the National Assembly and other supporters of the party are expected to attend the ceremony scheduled for the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.

Meanwhile, Tinubu, on Saturday, described the conduct of the 2026 All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries nationwide as a strong display of internal democracy in the ruling party.

President Tinubu stated this after participating in the APC presidential primaries in the L2 neighborhood of Ikoyi-Obalende in Lagos, stressing that the exercise further deepened the democratic process.

The President, who arrived at the venue alongside his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was received by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Conerlius Ojelabi, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and former Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, among other party leaders.

The President praised party members for their orderly conduct, enthusiasm and commitment to democratic values.

“This is a demonstration of internal democracy, and it is going very well according to plan. This is bottom-up politics in which every member of the party has the right to participate.

“It shows that we have an internal democracy, which is peaceful and well organised.”

On the conduct of primaries in the states, President Tinubu said: “I am very satisfied that the governors have done well in their various states, from ward congresses to local government congresses to accreditation of delegates, validation, registration of members and certification of the electoral process. It has been done very well and with this one could gauge democracy at a high level.”

He reiterated that the APC remains committed to transparent and inclusive democratic processes that give party members the opportunity to freely choose their leaders and representatives, stressing that their involvement remains the foundation for sustainable democratic development.

President Tinubu also commended election officials, party leaders and security agencies for ensuring that the operation was carried out in a peaceful and credible manner, and urged Nigerians to continue to support democratic institutions and national unity.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to democratic ideals, good governance and policies aimed at improving the well-being of Nigerians, while strengthening political stability at the national level.