President Bola Tinubu has officially signaled his intent to seek a second term, ending months of “will-he-won’t-he” speculation. On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the President became the first aspirant to obtain the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination forms for the 2027 general elections.
The move has immediately shifted the national conversation from governance to full-scale campaign mode, as the ruling party officially opens its internal primary season.
The Details of the Purchase
The process was handled with significant political optics, emphasizing a “grassroots” backing:
- The Proxy: President Tinubu was represented by Hon. James Faleke, the lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency and a long-time political ally.
- The Cost: The forms—comprising the Expression of Interest and Nomination documents—were purchased for ₦100 million.
- The Funding: Faleke clarified that the ₦100 million was not paid by the President personally but was a “collective effort” by over 1,000 contributors and various support groups across Nigeria. “Just as we did before the 2023 election, I am privileged again to buy this form on behalf of all Nigerians for our performing president,” Faleke stated.
The 2027 Election Roadmap
With the purchase of the form, the APC has set a strict timeline for its internal transition:
- Primary Date: The APC presidential primary is officially slated for May 23, 2026.
- Submission Deadline: All aspirants must submit their completed forms by May 4, 2026, with screening scheduled to take place between May 6 and May 9.
- The Challenge: While Tinubu is the frontrunner, he won’t be unopposed. Osifo Stanley from Edo State also purchased the ₦100 million form today, signaling a potential (though uphill) challenge within the party.
Opposition Response and Realignment
The President’s formal entry has triggered an immediate reaction from the opposition “Mega Party” coalition:
- The Atiku-Obi Factor: Reports suggest that the announcement has accelerated talks of a “one-ticket” alliance between Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, aimed at preventing a split in the opposition vote that characterized the 2023 results.
- Dismissive Stance: James Faleke dismissed these alignments today, stating, “Political parties coming together is part of democracy. When we do our work, they will do their own.”
