The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has set a strict benchmark ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that only candidates with proven electoral strength will secure the party’s ticket.
State Chairman, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, made the position clear on Tuesday, insisting that sentiment and loyalty will take a back seat to competence and winnability as the party prepares for its primaries.
In a social media post sighted by Uptown Press, Tenebe drew a vivid comparison between election and football, stressing that just as coaches select players based on their ability to deliver results, political parties must field candidates capable of winning elections.
“Elections are contests. Just like in football, political parties must put forward their strongest and most capable candidates—the ones who can truly win,” he stated.
He warned that aspirants without electoral value would have no place in the party’s plans, declaring that “performance, not promises, keeps you in the game.”
Tenebe emphasised that the forthcoming primaries would serve as the ultimate testing ground where aspirants must prove their credibility, capacity and political strength.
“Primaries are where credibility is established, capacity is tested, and true contenders emerge,” he said, adding that the party would not wait until the general election to discover who can perform.
The chairman’s remarks signal a no-nonsense approach by the Edo APC leadership, reinforcing earlier indications that the party is determined to avoid fielding weak or unpopular candidates.
With the race for 2027 gradually taking shape, further details obtained by this online newspaper suggest that the party’s internal selection process may be one of the most competitive in recent times, as aspirants scramble to demonstrate their electoral viability.
Tenebe’s declaration effectively puts would-be contenders on notice: only those who can “score goals” politically will make the final squad.
