The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has faulted suggestions that no member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, should challenge President Bola Tinubu for the party’s presidential ticket in the 2027 elections.

According to the northern socio-political group, such pronouncements undermine Nigeria’s constitution and run contrary to democratic principles.

Speaking to the BBC Hausa, correspondent in Kaduna, ACF spokesperson, Prof Tukur Muhammad Baba, insisted that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to contest for any office, regardless of region, provided they meet the requirements of the electoral laws.

“As long as democracy is in practice and the Constitution remains operational, it sets out the conditions any citizen must fulfil before vying for office,” he said.

“By law, every Nigerian, not just from a particular zone, who meets the criteria laid down by the electoral commission can contest any position, including the presidency.”

Prof Baba stressed that although the ACF is not a political party, it has a responsibility to speak on governance and political issues that affect the country. He urged APC to allow open competition rather than close ranks around a single aspirant.

Reacting, APC’s Director of Publicity, Malam Bala Ibrahim, maintained that while the Constitution guarantees the right of every qualified Nigerian to run for office, political parties also reserve the right to support aspirants of their choice.

“There is no question about it, the Constitution allows any qualified Nigerian to contest. But a political party also has its own preferences. Parties rally behind candidates they believe best represent their interests,” he said.

“That does not mean others will be stopped from trying. Anyone who qualifies can campaign. But at the end of the day, the party will screen and choose who it considers most suitable.”