Former presidential aspirant and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Charles Udeogaranya, has strongly rejected the notion of an automatic ticket for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election, vowing to contest the presidency on the APC platform, POLITICS NIGERIA reports.

His declaration comes in the wake of the recent APC National Summit in Abuja, where party leaders, including governors and National Assembly members, endorsed President Tinubu for a second term.

In a statement personally signed and released to the press, Udeogaranya criticized the endorsement, insisting that Nigeria’s democracy must not be reduced to mere consensus candidacy.

“While I deeply and respectfully appreciate my fellow APC members at the Abuja summit, may I also respectfully inform them that this democracy — birthed by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, entrenched by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, and globally affirmed by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963—will not fail in Nigeria, come 2027,” he stated.

Udeogaranya asserted that the economic hardship, insecurity, and nepotism plaguing Nigeria require bold, creative, and inclusive leadership— not automatic endorsements or political coronations.

“There is no room for consensus in economic quagmire, no room for consensus on insecurity, no room for consensus on nepotism, and no room for leadership driven by ‘me, I, and myself,’” he said.

He emphasized his intention to run for the presidency, promising a vision anchored on creativity, nationalism, and shared prosperity for all Nigerians.

“I will contest the Nigerian presidency on the APC platform to bring about a better Nigeria. One that offers hope, not hardship; opportunity, not oppression,” he stated.