APC primaries: Tinubu, govs, aspirants submit nomination forms

Ahead of the primaries of the All Progressives Congress, aspirants on the platform of the party, including President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, formally submitted their nomination and expression of interest forms to the national secretariat of the party. The APC began the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28, with the exercise scheduled to close by midnight on May 6. The screening process is expected to begin on May 7 and conclude on May 12, while the party approved both consensus and direct primaries as provided for in the Electoral Act 2025. The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027. Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday submitted President Tinubu’s nomination and expression of interest forms as he formally launched the President’s bid to clinch the party’s ticket for the 2027 presidential election. The submission, witnessed by serving and former governors, National Assembly members and members of the APC National Working Committee at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, marked the official commencement of what Shettima called Tinubu’s reelection campaign anchored on the economic reform record. Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, revealed this in a statement he signed on Thursday titled ‘2027: VP Shettima submits Tinubu’s nomination forms to APC.’ Speaking after the submission, Shettima rallied party faithful behind the President’s candidature, describing Tinubu as a leader whose resolve to rebuild Nigeria had been tested and proven under difficult economic conditions. “We are here, first, as Nigerians, and secondly as members of the All Progressives Congress, to submit this very priceless nomination form of our dear President and leader, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as he seeks to lead us for another four-year term,” Shettima said. He said the President’s performance over the past two years had validated the decision to back him for a second term. According to the VP, “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has delivered on the mandate of renewal, stability, and national rebirth. “The storms of the past years have not diminished him; they have made a fine sailor out of him. “He has steered this ship through turbulent waters with courage, taking difficult but necessary decisions to stabilise the economy, restore confidence, and prepare Nigeria for a more sustainable future.” Shettima called on Nigerians beyond the party faithful to support the candidacy. “On behalf of our great party, I ask all Nigerians to support this nomination and, by the special grace of God, the candidacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027,” he said, adding that the moment called on all citizens to, as a matter of sacrifice and contribution, protect the hope of Nigeria. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, described the event as a turning point in the party’s history and expressed confidence in Tinubu’s capacity to deliver an even stronger second term. Abbas said, “President Tinubu’s courageous decisions and bold reforms have put the country on the path of recovery, prosperity and progress.” He assured Nigerians of better days ahead. APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, said the NWC’s endorsement of Tinubu for a second term was premised on his performance in critical sectors of the economy, as reflected in improved economic indicators recently referenced by international bodies. According to Yilwatda, “The performances of President Tinubu and governors elected on the party’s platform are enough justification for the President’s re-election.” The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, said the party’s unanimous support for the President was visible in the breadth of governorship attendance at the event. “The President’s leadership qualities and performance since he assumed office in 2023 have positively impacted the party’s majority among state governors and the legislature,” Uzodimma said, pledging that progressive governors would work assiduously to secure Tinubu’s return. Governors in attendance included those of Plateau, Ogun, Niger, Kaduna, Ondo, Katsina, Borno, Cross River, Taraba, Yobe, Nasarawa and Bayelsa states. More aspirants and candidates of the APC also submitted their expressions of interest and nomination forms at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday. Among those who submitted their forms on Thursday were Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, who is seeking the party’s ticket for a second term, and former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, who is aiming for a return to the Senate. While Radda is seeking re-election, Omo-Agege is seeking to return to the Senate as the representative of Delta Central. The list also includes Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, seeking re-election, and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, contesting for the Ogun East Senatorial District seat. Former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Nicholas Ossai, also submitted his nomination forms to contest for the Ndokwa East/Ndokwa West/Ukwuani Federal Constituency seat in Delta State. Also, the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, submitted his completed expression of interest and nomination forms to contest for the Kano North Senatorial seat. • El-Rufai’s son leads fresh Reps defections to NDC, ADC • SWAGA leaders root for Tinubu, Oyebanji’s re-election • Mass exit hits Oyo PDP as supporters await Makinde’s directive Barau submitted the forms to APC officials at about 1:45 p.m. at the Treasures Suites and Conferences Hotel, Abuja, the designated venue. According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Barau expressed appreciation to the people of Kano North Senatorial District for what he described as their consistent support, trust and solidarity over the years. He said, “Insha Allah, we will continue to work tirelessly to address the challenges confronting our people and to advance programmes and initiatives that improve their lives. “Our commitment to the welfare, progress and development of our constituents across the 13 local government areas of Kano North Senatorial District remains our highest priority. This is the essence of our service and the true purpose of politics.” Also on Thursday, the consensus governorship aspirant for Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, submitted his nomination and expression of interest forms. Upon submitting their forms, the aspirants expressed divergent views on the adoption of direct primaries or consensus to determine candidates. Speaking to journalists, Radda defended the adoption of consensus primaries in the state, saying the decision was reached by stakeholders to preserve party unity and cohesion. He said the APC was deeply rooted in Katsina and would emerge victorious in the forthcoming polls. He stated, “We don’t have any fear. Katsina State is an APC state; 361 ward councillors, 34 local governments, 34 members of the state assembly, 15 members of the National Assembly, as well as three senators — they all belong to the APC. So, I think Katsina is one of the strongest APC states in the North-West. “We have the support of the teeming masses in the state because our achievements give us more strength. “We met with all the stakeholders in the state, and we all agreed that we are going to adopt consensus so that we continue with the party’s strength and cohesion, and also maintain peace in our party.” Omo-Agege, on his part, advocated direct primaries as the best option for choosing candidates. The former deputy Senate president, who is currently embroiled in a political dispute with the Delta APC leadership, is seeking a return to the Senate. He said he was persuaded by his constituents to join the race in recognition of his performance during the Eighth and Ninth Assemblies. According to him, his constituents also believed that Tinubu deserved re-election in 2027 and that a strong political figure was needed to support the President’s efforts both in the National Assembly and during the election period. “I am here today because I have hearkened to the call of my constituents. My constituents took their time to review my accomplishments in both the Eighth and Ninth Senate. “They have reviewed those accomplishments and have come to the realisation that since I moved away from the Senate, their voice is not being heard in the National Assembly. “They have seen what I did. They are missing it. They believe there is still so much to be done. On this, I will submit myself to direct primaries.” Eno, speaking with Government House correspondents at the Victor Attah International Airport upon his return from Abuja, said his aspiration was premised on the need to consolidate ongoing projects in the state. “I have just submitted the nomination form. We call on members of the party to support our nomination during the primaries, as we will continue to pray and trust God for more development to thrive in the state,” Eno said. Abiodun, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, on Thursday, said his decision to contest was driven by his commitment to the people of Ogun East. “This moment is not just about a political process, but about our enduring commitment to the people of Ogun East,” he said. Ossai endorsed direct primaries by the APC for the 2027 general elections, describing the process as a true reflection of participatory democracy. Meanwhile, stakeholders of the APC in Kano State have endorsed former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Nasiru Bala Ja’oji, to contest the House of Representatives seat for Tarauni Federal Constituency. This was contained in a statement by Ja’oji’s Media Aide, Abba Anwar, made available to The PUNCH on Thursday. According to the statement, Ja’oji secured the ticket following a consensus supervised by Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on Thursday. “As a result of a diligent and transparent consensus supervised by the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, among aspirants for the House of Representatives seat from Tarauni Federal Constituency, the former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Nasir Bala Aminu (Ja’o’ji), secured the ticket,” the statement said. It added that Ja’oji would contest the 2027 general election on the platform of the APC after securing the endorsement of 16 out of 19 stakeholders in the constituency.