‘No Do-Or-Die!’ Tinubu Warns APC Gladiators As Battle For Tickets Begins

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has moved to steady the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of what could become one of its most defining internal political contests, urging party members to reject destructive power struggles as nationwide primaries begin.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Tinubu framed the party’s fourth election cycle not merely as a process of selecting candidates, but as a crucial test of APC’s unity, maturity, and survival instinct before the next general election.

“I am pleased to witness this historic moment in the annals of our party. The party we formed just like yesterday is gearing up for its fourth election cycle,” the president said, describing the moment as a source of pride for leaders and members alike.

With House of Representatives primaries set to commence first and the presidential primaries scheduled for May 25, Tinubu called for discipline among aspirants, warning against the kind of bitter internal warfare that has historically fractured major political parties.

“The primary elections… are not mere exercises to produce our standard bearers. They are a referendum on our unity, resilience and strength as a party,” he said.

The president ’s remarks come amid growing political horse-trading, backchannel negotiations, and rising tensions across states where party heavyweights are already battling over tickets, influence, and succession calculations.

In what appeared to be a strategic endorsement of ongoing elite negotiations, Tinubu praised consensus arrangements being brokered by party leaders in line with the Electoral Act and APC constitution, describing them as a stabilising mechanism.

“It is a commendable option that would help in reducing rancour and bad blood among party members,” he said, while encouraging stakeholders to maximise the consensus window “to ensure a seamless process and a more unified party.”

Still, the president acknowledged that consensus may not always hold, and where contests become unavoidable, he urged members to conduct themselves with restraint.

“Where consensus fails, I urge us all to go into the primaries as brothers and sisters,” Tinubu declared, adding “We cannot afford rancorous conduct or the debasement of our democracy and party unity.”

In perhaps his clearest warning yet against political desperation, Tinubu told aspirants and their supporters to abandon the “politics of old,” insisting that APC must not return to “do-or-die 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,” he urged.

The president also delivered a pointed message to winners and losers alike, urging victorious candidates not to provoke divisions through arrogance, while asking defeated aspirants to remain loyal and seek redress through party structures instead of rebellion.

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

Tinubu’s statement further placed governors, party executives, and influential leaders under pressure to ensure fairness, cautioning them against bias or manipulation.

“You must rise above sentiment to offer all aspirants a level playing field,” he declared.

Beyond power calculations, Tinubu also made a direct appeal for greater inclusion of women and youth, signaling an awareness that APC’s long-term political strength may depend on broadening participation beyond traditional power blocs.

“The inclusion of women and youth is dear to my heart,” the President canvassed.

He also cautioned security agencies, especially the police, to avoid interference beyond maintaining peace during the exercises.

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

As APC heads into a politically sensitive season that could shape not only its internal hierarchy but its broader electoral future, Tinubu’s message was unmistakable: ambition must not become self-destruction.

For a party managing incumbency, competing interests, and the weight of national expectations, the president’s intervention underscores fears that unchecked internal conflict could hand rivals an opening.

Observers say the President is betting that party discipline, consensus, and controlled competition can keep APC’s gladiators from turning the primaries into a battlefield that weakens the ruling party before the real contest begins.