APC Group Urges Tinubu to Focus on Results, Not Politics, When Choosing Candidates

The APC governance outcomes message directed at Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one of those statements that sounds simple at first, but the more you read it, the more it feels like it’s saying something deeper about the current political climate.

A group within the All Progressives Congress, known as the APC National Vanguard, has called on the president to prioritise performance over party loyalty when selecting candidates for elective positions.

On the surface, it’s a straightforward recommendation. Choose people based on results, not just political alignment. But in reality, that’s not always how things play out.

“Focus on What Works”

According to the group, leadership should be judged by outcomes—what has actually been achieved, not just promises or affiliations.

They stressed that governance should come first, especially at a time when many Nigerians are dealing with economic pressure. That detail matters, because it sets the tone for their argument.

When people are feeling the effects of economic challenges, there’s less patience for political games. At least, that’s the impression the group seems to be giving.

They’re essentially saying: if something is working, don’t disrupt it.

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The Case for Continuity

One of the key concerns raised was the risk of disrupting progress by changing leadership too quickly or for the wrong reasons.

The group warned that discontinuity could undo gains already made. And while they didn’t go into extreme detail about those gains, they pointed to Rivers State as an example.

According to them, despite political tensions in the state, governance has remained steady. Services are still being delivered, and development efforts have not completely stalled.

Now, whether everyone agrees with that assessment is another question. But from their perspective, it shows that stability matters.

And maybe more importantly, it suggests that political disagreements shouldn’t automatically lead to leadership changes.

A Subtle Message to the Party

The statement, delivered by the group’s National President, Dr Gbenga Salam, also seemed to carry a broader message for political actors within the party.

While it was directed at President Tinubu, it wasn’t just about him.

It was also a reminder to others in the political space that governance should not be overshadowed by internal competition or personal interests.

That’s easier said than done, of course.

Politics often involves balancing loyalty, strategy, and performance. And sometimes, those things don’t align neatly.

Beyond Party Lines

Interestingly, the group didn’t limit its message to the APC alone.

They also called on Nigerians in general to support efforts aimed at stabilising the economy and strengthening public institutions.

There’s a sense here that they’re trying to shift the conversation away from party divisions and toward broader national interests.

Or at least, that’s how it comes across.

They emphasised that leadership should be guided by accountability and public welfare. Again, it sounds obvious. But in practice, it’s something that gets debated constantly.

Performance vs Politics

At the heart of the APC governance outcomes message is a familiar debate—should political decisions be driven by performance or by party loyalty?

The group is clearly leaning toward performance.

They argued that when a leader is delivering results, showing prudence, and focusing on the welfare of the people, that leadership deserves continuity.

It’s a strong position. But it also raises questions.

Who decides what counts as “performance”? And how is it measured? Different groups might see the same situation in very different ways.

A Conversation That Isn’t New

This isn’t the first time such a call has been made, and it probably won’t be the last.

The idea of putting governance above politics comes up often, especially during periods of economic or social pressure.

Sometimes it leads to change. Other times, it becomes just another talking point.

Still, the fact that this message is being directed at the highest level of leadership suggests that it’s something the group believes is urgent.

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What Happens Next?

For now, the APC governance outcomes discussion remains just that—a recommendation.

Whether it will influence actual decisions within the party is unclear.

Political systems are complex, and decisions are rarely based on a single factor. There are always multiple interests at play.

But the message itself is clear enough: focus on results, maintain stability where it exists, and avoid unnecessary disruption.

Simple ideas, really. Though not always simple to apply.