APC 2027 Contest Gathers Steam as Tinubu, Others Pick Forms

President Bola Tinubu, several top APC figures and many aspirants across the country moved further into the 2027 election race on Tuesday as nomination forms were picked for presidential, governorship and legislative contests, while Lagos political leaders also backed Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat for governor.

The developments unfolded in Abuja and several states as the ruling party’s nomination process gathered momentum ahead of the primaries. Tinubu’s presidential forms were collected on his behalf by Ikeja lawmaker James Faleke, marking the formal start of the President’s re-election bid. The move came as other aspirants also stepped forward for different offices under the APC platform.

Faleke said the forms were secured through the support of party loyalists and support groups, describing it as part of preparations for Tinubu’s second-term push. He also dismissed growing opposition coalition talks, insisting the ruling party remained focused on its strategy for the election.

At the same time, an APC chieftain from Edo State, Osifo Stanley, entered the presidential contest after purchasing forms to challenge Tinubu for the party’s ticket, setting up an internal contest ahead of the primaries.

In Lagos, political activity also rose after the Governance Advisory Council backed Deputy Governor Hamzat as its preferred governorship candidate for 2027. Reports said members of the council also supported his nomination process, adding weight to his bid to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

In Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola, known as Yayi, joined the governorship race after his supporters obtained nomination forms for him. His move added fresh energy to the contest in the state. Another aspirant, Abayomi Hunye, also entered the race.

The wave of interest spread beyond Ogun as Senator Shehu Buba in Bauchi and Senator Aliyu Wadada in Nasarawa moved forward with governorship ambitions.

Former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu also joined the Nasarawa race, setting up what may become a competitive APC primary in the state.

In Borno, former commissioner Mustapha Gubio picked governorship forms and became one of the first major contenders in the state’s APC race. In Rivers, businessman Tonye Cole also entered the governorship contest, while in Abia, Mascot Uzor Kalu purchased forms to signal his intention to run.

Beyond governorship contests, the rush for legislative tickets also continued. Former Ogun State governor Gbenga Daniel obtained forms for the Senate, a move that may trigger a battle over the Ogun East ticket. Senator Shehu Sani also picked forms for Kaduna Central.

Across the APC secretariat in Abuja, many aspirants for Senate and House of Representatives seats were seen collecting forms as the nomination exercise continued despite a slight delay from the original timetable.

The renewed activity followed the electoral schedule released by INEC, which fixed party primaries between April 23 and May 30, while general elections are scheduled for January and February 2027.

The start of form sales has also triggered new alliances, succession battles and internal contests across the party, with more aspirants expected to join in the coming days as the deadline approaches.

Alongside the growing contest, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda called on young Nigerians to stay active in protecting democracy and support the political process, saying youths remain central to the country’s future.

With Tinubu entering the race, governorship battles opening in several states and legislative contests taking shape, Tuesday’s developments pushed the 2027 APC contest into a more active phase.