By Frontline Reporters
The battle for the 2027 general election gathered fresh momentum on Tuesday as President Bola Tinubu and several top aspirants in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) obtained their nomination forms, signaling the official start of intense political contests across the country.
In a dramatic twist, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, also secured a major boost after the powerful Governance Advisory Council (GAC) endorsed him as the APC consensus candidate for the 2027 Lagos governorship race.
At the national level, Osifo Stanley from Edo State purchased the N100 million APC presidential nomination form to challenge Tinubu for the party’s ticket at the primaries.
Tinubu Camp Unshaken by Opposition Coalition
The Founder of Tinubu Support Groups and member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke, who collected Tinubu’s expression of interest and nomination forms, brushed aside concerns over the emerging opposition alliance.
Faleke declared that the coalition against Tinubu poses no threat to the APC, insisting the ruling party remains solidly positioned for victory.
“On behalf of thousands of supporters and Nigerians, we have picked the form for our performing President,” he said.
“By the grace of God, President Tinubu will contest and he will win in 2027.”
He added that the APC remains focused on grassroots mobilisation, strategic planning, and voter outreach across the country.
APC Form Sales Begin Amid Tight Schedule
According to the party’s 2027 timetable, sales of nomination forms were originally scheduled to begin on April 25 and end on May 2, 2026. Although the exercise started three days late, party officials assured aspirants that deadlines and eligibility requirements remain unchanged.
At the Abuja Continental Hotel, where forms were being issued, the venue was packed with aspirants seeking Senate, House of Representatives, governorship, and presidential tickets.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed January 16, 2027 for Presidential and National Assembly elections, while Governorship and State Assembly polls will hold on February 6, 2027.
GAC Throws Weight Behind Hamzat
In Lagos, the Governance Advisory Council, regarded as the highest decision-making organ of the APC in the state, unanimously adopted Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as its preferred candidate.
The endorsement was announced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Jubril Gawat, who disclosed that GAC members also purchased Hamzat’s nomination form.
The move is widely seen as a major political endorsement that could shape the succession battle in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Ogun, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Borno Contests Open Up
Across the states, more APC heavyweights entered the race:
- Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi) picked the Ogun governorship form.
- Senator Shehu Buba obtained the Bauchi governorship form.
- Senator Aliyu Wadada moved closer to the Nasarawa ticket after Governor Abdullahi Sule reportedly backed him.
- Former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, also entered the Nasarawa race, rejecting Wadada’s consensus status.
- Former Borno Works Commissioner, Mustapha Gubio, became the first aspirant to secure the APC governorship form in Borno.
Coalition Politics Intensify
Despite renewed talks among opposition leaders to unite behind a single presidential candidate, Faleke said the APC is not disturbed.
“Political parties are free to align in a democracy. We have our own strategy, and it will work,” he said confidently.
With nomination forms now in circulation and endorsements flying across states, the 2027 election season has effectively begun — setting the stage for fierce battles within the APC and beyond.
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2026-04-28