… S/West APC leaders target 10m votes for Tinubu
By Seun Ibiyemi
The political race for the 2027 general elections gathered momentum on Tuesday as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), and other prominent politicians formally entered the contest by obtaining the All Progressives Congress (APC) Expression of Interest and Nomination forms.
The development marked the official commencement of the APC’s sale of nomination forms for various elective positions, setting the stage for what promises to be fierce internal contests within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 polls.
At the centre of the unfolding political drama was President Bola Tinubu, who officially joined the presidential race to seek re-election for a second term after his N100 million presidential nomination and expression of interest forms were picked up on his behalf.
The forms were obtained at the Abuja Continental Hotel by Hon. James Faleke, member of the House of Representatives representing Ikeja Federal Constituency and Leader of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), accompanied by party loyalists and support groups.
Faleke described the move as a collective effort by Nigerians and support groups determined to secure the president’s return in 2027.
“So for all support groups that have made efforts and contributed money to purchase the form, I have done so on their behalf and on behalf of Nigerians.
“There is no one particular person who has done this. It is on behalf of all Nigerians, just as we did before the 2023 election.
“Again, I am privileged to buy the forms for our performing president, and by the grace of God, 2027 will be a reality. He will contest and he will win,” Faleke said.
He added that over 1,000 contributors to the purchase of the form were residents of Lagos, stressing that the move reflected broad national support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
The APC National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Suleiman Argungu, said the commencement of form sales reflected the party’s commitment to a transparent and democratic primary process.
He noted that the exercise, scheduled to end on May 4, was the first major step toward the party’s nomination process for all elective offices.
In Lagos, attention quickly shifted to the governorship race as Faleke also picked up the N50 million governorship nomination and expression of interest forms on behalf of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.
The move formally signals Hamzat’s entry into the race to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027 and positions him among the leading contenders for the state’s top seat.
The forms were presented to Faleke by Argungu after payment was completed, fueling fresh political calculations within the Lagos APC over who would eventually secure the party’s governorship ticket.
In Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi and representing Ogun West Senatorial District, also formally declared his governorship ambition after obtaining his N50 million APC nomination forms.
The forms were picked up on his behalf at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, signaling his official entry into the race for the Ogun State governorship.
Political observers believe Yayi’s early declaration could significantly reshape the power structure within Ogun APC, given his strong grassroots appeal and established political network across the state.
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In Rivers State, former APC governorship candidate, Pastor Tonye Cole, also rejoined the contest after purchasing the party’s governorship nomination forms.
Cole, who contested and lost in both 2019 and 2023, is expected to challenge incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s influence as he seeks another opportunity to lead the oil-rich state.
His latest move signals renewed determination to remain politically relevant despite previous electoral setbacks.
In Abia State, Mascot Uzor Kalu, younger brother of former governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, also purchased the APC governorship forms to challenge Governor Alex Otti in 2027.
Governor Otti remains one of the few opposition governors yet to defect to the ruling APC, making the Abia governorship race one of the most anticipated contests ahead of the next election cycle.
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, also made his return official after obtaining APC nomination forms to contest for the senatorial seat once again.
Sani, a former lawmaker and human rights activist, represented Kaduna Central after winning the 2015 election and remains a notable political voice with significant grassroots support.
His comeback is expected to alter the political dynamics in Kaduna and trigger fresh competition within the party.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
INEC also announced that party primaries, including dispute resolution processes, will take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.
Reports indicate that APC primary elections will begin on May 15, 2026, starting with the House of Representatives, followed by Senate and governorship contests.
With Tinubu’s formal re-entry, Hamzat’s governorship move, Yayi’s declaration, and multiple heavyweight aspirants joining the race across the country, the battle for APC’s 2027 tickets has clearly begun.
What lies ahead is expected to be a fierce struggle for power, influence, and political survival within Nigeria’s ruling party.
Meanwhile, the South-West leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) say 10 million votes have been targeted in the region to ensure victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 General Elections.
The leaders, who spoke through the party’s South-West Zonal Chairman, Dr Isaac Kekemeke, at a news briefing on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, based their projections on the series of achievements recorded by Tinubu.
Kekemeke also vowed to “ensure overwhelming victory for APC in the June 20 Ekiti Governorship Election and the subsequent Osun offcycle governorship election on Aug. 15”.
According to him, Tinubu’s administration has recorded notable achievements, particularly in the area of education financing through the introduction of the student loan scheme.
The chairman cited the removal of fuel subsidy as a bold economic reform, noting that it had freed up resources for developmental projects across the country.
He also commended the Federal Government for ensuring the regular payment of salaries and the implementation of improved minimum wages for workers.
“These policies have contributed to economic stability and enhanced public sector efficiency, particularly in the South-West region.
“We are proud of the achievements of Mr President. We will return him with overwhelming votes.
“He has tried to stabilise the economy, and approved the construction of numerous road projects in the South-West, while there has been no strike in the region’s universities in the last three years,” he said.
Kekemeke also cautioned any coalition formed by the opposition “to stop issuing threats”.
“Nigerians don’t even know which party is the opposition. Threats don’t win elections but serious minded mobilisation can make people win,” the chairman said.
