The race for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections gathered pace on Tuesday as President Bola Tinubu formally entered the contest for a second term by securing his All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination and expression of interest forms.
The development marks a significant milestone in the ruling party’s preparations, as aspirants across presidential, governorship, and legislative positions begin to jostle for tickets ahead of the primaries.
Tinubu, whose forms were purchased by a coalition of supporters led by lawmaker James Faleke, faces an early challenge from Edo-based aspirant Osifo Stanley, who also obtained the N100 million presidential forms to contest the APC ticket.
Despite emerging political coalitions aimed at unseating the President, Faleke dismissed any threat to the ruling party, insisting the APC remains cohesive and strategically positioned for victory in 2027. He pointed to ongoing grassroots mobilisation, voter outreach, and strengthened party structures nationwide as evidence of the party’s readiness.
Meanwhile, internal alignments are already shaping contests at the state level. In Lagos, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat secured a major boost after the Governance Advisory Council endorsed him as the APC’s consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election. The council also funded his nomination form, signaling strong party backing.
Across the country, several high-profile aspirants have joined the race. In Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola declared his ambition by picking up the APC governorship form, while Abayomi Hunye also entered the contest. Similarly, Senators Shehu Buba (Bauchi) and Isah Jibrin (Nasarawa) obtained forms to contest governorship seats in their respective states.
In Nasarawa, however, cracks have emerged within party ranks. Former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu rejected the consensus candidacy of Senator Aliyu Wadada and vowed to contest the primaries, setting the stage for a competitive intra-party battle.
Other notable aspirants include businessman Tonye Cole in Rivers State and Mascot Uzor Kalu in Abia, who became the first governorship aspirant in the state to secure APC nomination forms.
The contest is also heating up in Ogun East Senatorial District, where former governor Gbenga Daniel’s bid to return to the Senate may clash with Governor Dapo Abiodun’s ambition, potentially forcing the party to adopt direct primaries.
At the national level, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, with governorship and state assembly polls set for February 6. Party primaries will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026, while campaigns are expected to begin in August and September respectively.
Although the sale of nomination forms started slightly behind schedule, APC officials have assured stakeholders that the timeline for submissions and primaries remains unchanged.
As the nomination process unfolds, political realignments and strategic calculations are intensifying across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, setting the stage for what is expected to be a fiercely contested election cycle.
Adding to the political momentum, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda called on Nigerian youths to actively defend democracy, warning against misinformation and divisive political interests. He emphasized the party’s youth-driven structure and expressed confidence that ongoing reforms under the Tinubu administration would strengthen Nigeria’s economic outlook ahead of 2027.
With aspirants declaring intentions and alliances forming, the battle for APC tickets—and ultimately the nation’s leadership—has officially begun.