Tinubu Picks 2027 Nomination Forms As APC Kicks Off Presidential Race

By Ayodele Oni

The contest for the 2027 Presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), commenced on Tuesday as the party formally began the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms in Abuja.

The exercise, being conducted at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja and the Ladi Kwali International Conference Centre, marks the opening phase of the party’s internal electoral process ahead of its presidential primaries scheduled for May 23.

In a move widely seen as an early signal of intent, the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, James Faleke, collected the nomination forms on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

Party officials described the development as part of initial mobilisation efforts for the President’s anticipated re-election bid.

Faleke, a longstanding political ally of the President, was accompanied by senior figures within the party during the exercise.

The forms were handed over by members of the party’s National Working Committee, led by the Deputy National Chairman (North), Abubakar Dalori, alongside the National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu.

Other party leaders in attendance included the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko; the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Bawa Rijau; and the National Women Leader, Mary Aliele.

The commencement of the process signals the APC’s transition into full pre-election activity, following a brief postponement of the exercise from its originally scheduled date.

According to the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2027.

INEC also indicated that party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will be conducted between April 23, 2026, and May 30, 2026.

The Commission further announced that campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections will begin on September 9, 2026.