President Bola Tinubu on Thursday appealed to members, aspirants and leaders of the All Progressives Congress to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly as the party’s nationwide primaries commenced.

The President warned that internal conflict and bitterness would only benefit opposition parties, urging winners to avoid arrogance and losers to accept defeat with maturity.

In a personal statement released ahead of the House of Representatives primaries, Tinubu described the exercises as more than just a process to select candidates, saying they would also test the unity, resilience and strength of the APC as it prepares for another election cycle.

“In every contest, there will be a winner and a loser. I urge the winners not to gloat in victory and the losers to show sportsmanship by taking things in their stride and preparing for another time,” he said.

“The ultimate winners are those who don’t choose to wreck the boat but rather work to prepare for another round.

“Our opponents are waiting for us to be against each other; we should disappoint them.”

Tinubu also cautioned party members against returning to what he described as the “do-or-die” style of politics.

“We should not play the politics of old, the do-or-die politics that we have put behind us.

“Politics should never be a zero-sum game. Any candidate that wins does so for all of us as a party,” the President stated.

He encouraged party leaders and aspirants to adopt consensus arrangements wherever possible in order to reduce tension and avoid unnecessary divisions.

“I am aware that, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and our party’s constitution, leaders at various levels have initiated conversations to produce consensus candidates.

“It is a commendable option that would help in reducing rancour and bad blood among party members,” Tinubu said.

However, he stressed that where consensus could not be reached, all participants must still conduct themselves with discipline and mutual respect.

“I urge us all to go into the primaries as brothers and sisters,” he appealed.

Tinubu further directed APC governors and party leaders to ensure fairness throughout the process and avoid allowing personal interests to influence the primaries.

“You must rise above sentiment to offer all aspirants a level playing field that guarantees participation without let or hindrance,” he said.

“While only one person will win for every seat contested, we should give eventual losers the satisfaction of a fair contest.”

The President also advised successful candidates and party leaders to reconcile with aggrieved aspirants after the primaries, while urging dissatisfied members to make use of the party’s redress mechanisms instead of creating instability.

Tinubu additionally called for greater inclusion of women and young people within the party structure and electoral process.

“I appeal to voters in the primaries and leaders at all levels to give special consideration to our women and youth in the contest.

“We cannot afford to relegate the two significant demographics of our population,” he stated.

He also issued a warning to security agencies deployed for the primaries, directing them to remain professional and limit their activities strictly to maintaining peace and order.

“The police and other security agencies must remain professional and avoid acting as interlopers during this exercise.

“Your duties strictly centre on ensuring peaceful exercise. Nothing more,” he said.

The APC primaries, beginning with the House of Representatives contests, are expected to continue until the party’s presidential primary scheduled for May 25, 2026.

The exercise is being conducted under the Electoral Act 2026, which reduced the statutory notice period for elections from 360 to 300 days. According to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, the adjustment could pave the way for presidential and National Assembly elections to hold in January 2027.