(President Bola Tinubu. Photo by Business Post)
By acquiring the All Progressives Congress, or APC, presidential nomination and expression of interest forms in Abuja yesterday, President Bola Tinubu officially began his campaign for reelection in 2027.

Loyalists and support groups from all over the nation paid a total of N100 million on his behalf.

Representative James Faleke, who is a prominent member of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) and represents Lagos State's Ikeja federal seat in the House of Representatives, represented the president.

Sulaiman Argungu, the APC National Organizing Secretary, gave the forms to Faleke.

Faleke also gathered nomination forms for three other candidates during the same trip: Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the Lagos APC consensus governor, and Lagos Deputy Governor candidate for 2027; incumbent Senator Idiat Adebule of Lagos West; and himself, as he seeks a return to the House of Representatives.

Speaking to reporters following the process, Faleke refuted claims that a single person or organization had funded the presidential form, stating that more than a thousand donors from all around Lagos and abroad had contributed the money.

"This has not been done by a single individual. On behalf of all Nigerians, that is. I had the honor of purchasing the form with a few leaders, just like we did before the 2023 election. Once more, I have the honor of purchasing the form on behalf of all Nigerians, our president, and our acting president," he declared.

"By the grace of God, he will contest and he will win the election," he added, expressing confidence in the president's chances of winning.

"I am also privileged, with my friend here, Honourable Ajala, to pick the forms for the incoming governor of Lagos, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat," he stated in reference to the governorship form he collected for Hamzat.

According to Faleke, it was not feasible for every donor to be present in person due to the volume of grassroots involvement.

More than 1,000 of us in Lagos contributed money to purchase this form. There is more than one person involved. We can't all come here and select the form. Only delegates are dispatched. I consider myself fortunate to be among those who have been dispatched.

Faleke stated that he was also awaiting Adebule's form receipt, adding, "I am also waiting behind to acquire the receipt of our incumbent senator, Senator Idiat Adebule, that I will pick the form for her from my West Senatorial District.”

Party denies hoarding forms

The purchase of forms came against a backdrop of allegations that the APC was selectively selling nomination forms and denying access to aspirants who lacked clearance from their respective state governors.

The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, flatly denied the claims.

He said, “Nomination forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the APC are open. Nomination forms are open for all members of the party contesting elections.”

A senator from Bauchi wants to be governor

Senator Shehu Buba, who represents Bauchi South and bought a nomination form to run for governor of Bauchi State in 2027, was also present at the event yesterday.

Buba voiced optimism about his chances of defeating the state's current Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration, claiming to be the first candidate to formally collect the form for the Bauchi governorship.

"I thank God for allowing us to witness another cycle of elections," he declared. I'm physically present to pick up my nomination forms, and I'm urging Nigerians who want to run for any of the positions the party is advertising to attend.

Meeting of Kogi Stakeholders

In a similar event, Ahmed Ododo, the governor of Kogi State, called a stakeholders' conference yesterday with the goal of reaching an agreement for elective seats before to the 2027 cycle.

The gathering coincided with the intensification of campaigns in his Kogi Central Senatorial District, where candidates such as Hon. Muhammad Ozigi Tijani of Okene/Ogori-Magongo and Hon. M.I. Onimisi of Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency were already vigorously canvassing.