President Bola Tinubu has formally signalled the start of his re-election bid for the 2027 general elections, following the purchase of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expression of interest and nomination forms valued at N100 million.
Having thrown his hat into the ring, South-West APC, yesterday declared its target of 10 million votes for the President in the January 2027 ballot.
However, an APC chieftain, Stanley Osifo, seems to be throwing a spanner in the works by formally entering the race to challenge the President, who seems to be enjoying massive support from the party.
Despite this, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have unanimously endorsed Tinubu for a second term in office, urging other state assemblies, political parties and the National Assembly across the country to support his re-election.
Tinubu’s forms were picked yesterday in Abuja by founder of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), James Faleke, who represented the President at the event marking the official commencement of sales to APC aspirants.
During a brief ceremony held at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, presented the forms to Faleke amid chants of “Emilokan” by party faithful.
Faleke explained that the forms were procured on behalf of the President through contributions from various support groups across the country. He recalled a similar move in 2023, expressing confidence that Tinubu’s second-term ambition would be realised.
In addition, Faleke obtained governorship nomination forms for Obafemi Hamzat to contest the Lagos State governorship, and secured forms for own re-election bid to represent Ikeja Federal Constituency.
He dismissed opposition efforts to derail the President’s ambition, insisting that Tinubu would emerge victorious in the 2027 polls.
South-west APC Chairman, Dr Isaac Kekemeke, who led other executive members, spoke to newsmen yesterday in Ado Ekiti after the inaugural meeting of the Zonal Working Committee (ZWC).
According to him, Tinubu deserves the South-West’s votes not only because he is from the zone but also because he has performed well.
Alluding to a statement on “Operation Wetie” credited to the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, Kekemeke said: “It’s only an enemy of our region that will remind us of that inglorious era. The South-Westerners are wiser than that.
“Governor Makinde’s phony ambition will not drive South-Westerners to do that to themselves again. He is on his own. We urge South-Westerners to treat it as such.”
Speaking on the 10 million votes for Tinubu, he said states in the zones had sets targets for themselves, saying that while Ekiti was targeting between 500,000 to 750,000 votes, Ondo State was targeting over one million votes, just like Oyo, Ogun and others.
Osifo obtained his forms yesterdays at the Abuja Continental Hotel, where Argungu, presented the documents to him.
The Edo-born politician dismissed claims that his ambition is being sponsored by President Tinubu, insisting that he is self-funded.
“This is not the first time I’m hearing such claims. Nobody is sponsoring me. Even in 2018 and 2019 when I contested under a different party, similar allegations were made.’’
The President has never given me any money. I rely on what God has provided,” Osifo said.
He noted that his decision to purchase the forms surprised many, explaining that consultations with party leaders accounted for the delay. He expressed readiness to abide by whatever mode of primary election the party adopts.
The Lagos Assembly’s resolution was reached during plenary yesterday following a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II, Ladi Ajomale.
Presenting the motion, Ajomale highlighted key achievements of the Tinubu administration over the past three years, noting that ongoing reforms and policies require continuity.
He cited initiatives such as the student loan scheme, removal of fuel subsidy and major infrastructure projects, as milestones that should be consolidated in a second term.
Supporting the motion, Deputy Leader of the House, Richard Kasumu, said Nigeria’s foreign reserves improved under the Tinubu administration, adding that the country’s trade surplus reflects the impact of its economic policies.
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