Twenty-twenty-seven politics politics gathered much momentum on Tuesday as President Bola Tinubu formally joined the presidential race to re-contest his position in the forthcoming 2027 presidential election.
This followed the purchase of the APC Expression of Interest and Nomination forms.
Elsewhere in Ibadan, Oyo State, oppositional leaders – Peter Obi and Governor Seyi Makinde, met behind closed doors, in what they said was for a strategic discussion.
The APCe forms, valued at N100 million, were picked for the president at the Abuja Continental Hotel by Mr James Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives.
Faleke, who is also the Leader of Tinubu Support Group (TSG), obtained the forms on behalf of the president, in company with several party loyalists and support groups.
NAN reports that the development marked the official commencement of the sales of expression of interest and nomination forms by the ruling APC for various elective positions, with the exercise scheduled to end on May 4.
The APC National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Suleiman Argungu, while speaking at the event, said it signaled the party’s readiness to conduct a transparent and democratic primary process.
Faleke, on his own, described himself as the representative of the president in the House of Representatives.
“So for all support groups that have made efforts, that contributed money to purchase the form, I have done so on their behalf and on behalf of Nigerians.
“There is no one particular person who has done this. It is on behalf of all Nigerians, just as we did pre-2023 election, I was also privileged with some leaders to buy the forms.
“Here again, I am privileged to buy the forms on behalf of all Nigerians for our performing president and by the grace of God, 2027 will be a reality. He will contest and he will win the election,” he said.
The lawmaker added that more than 1,000 persons among those who contributed money to buy the forms reside in in Lagos.
“It is not just one person; all of us cannot come here and pick the form; only representatives are sent and I am also lucky to be one of those who have been sent to pick the forms.
“At the same time, I picked my own form to come back to the House of Representatives,” he said.
Meanwhile, Obi said the meeting was “on the coalition, the 2027 election, and about the overall wellbeing of Nigeria”.
He said that discussions with Makinde dwelt on how better Nigeria could be built.
Obi said that with the coalition of opposition political parties, Nigerians should expect a better Nigeria, a more united, secure and progressive Nigeria.
“A country where we are going to move the country from consumption to production and get our people employed.”
On the Obi’s entourage were former governor of Ebonyi State, Dr Sam Egwu; Sen. Ben Obi and Chief Alli Odefa.
Notable opposition political party leaders on Saturday in Ibadan held a summit where they agreed to field one presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Among the political leaders at the summit were former vice president- Alhaji Abubakar Atiku; former Kano state governor – Mr Rabiu Kwankwaso; Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Mr Jerry Gana and Alhaji Babangida Aliyu.
Others include Mr Kabiru Turaki, Mr Rafiu Aregbesola; Sen.David Mark; Mr Pat Utomi, and and Mr Peter Obi.
