Tinubu Picks APC Presidential Form

• Hamzat, Buba purchase gov’ship forms, Faleke Reps

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu commenced his re-election journey ahead of the 2027 general election on Tuesday in Abuja after purchasing the presidential form of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The president was represented by the Founder of Tinubu Support Group (TSG) and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. James Faleke.

The form was presented to Faleke by the  National Organising Secretary of the party, Sulaiman Argungu, following the payment of N100 million for both the nomination and expression of interest forms.

Faleke also purchased his own form, and that of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, as well as the senator representing Lagos West, Senator Idiat Adebule.

The Lagos State chapter of the party recently adopted Hazmat as its governorship candidate of the state.

He said that thousands of supporters were involved in raising the funds, but only a few individuals could physically present the form.

Falake, while addressing journalists after purchasing the forms, stated: “So for all support groups who have made efforts, who have contributed money to purchase the form, I have done so on their behalf, on behalf of Nigerians.

“There is no one particular person that 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 form.

“Here again, I am privileged to buy the form on behalf of all Nigerians, for our president, for our performing president. And by the grace of God, 2027 will be a reality.

“By the grace of God, he will contest and he will win the election. At the same time, I am also privileged, my friend here, Hon. Ajala, to pick the form for the incoming governor of Lagos, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat.

“And let me also say that those of us who contributed money to buy this form were more than 1,000 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 form. At the same time, I picked my own form to come back to the House of Representatives. And you can see the form with me.

“So I am lucky. And I am also waiting behind to get the receipt of our incumbent senator, Senator Idiat Adebule, that I will pick the form for her from my West Senatorial district.”

Asked if he was bothered by the decision of opposition leaders to present a consensus candidate to wrest power from Tinubu, Faleke said the coming together of opposition parties is part of democracy.

According to him, “First, let me tell you that political parties can come together as a part of democracy. When we do our work, they will do their work.”

Meanwhile, a member representing Bauchi South in the Senate, Senator Shehu Buba, Tuesday purchased a governorship form to contest for the governorship seat in Bauchi State.

He noted: “I thank God for allowing us to witness another cycle of elections. As we have seen, I am physically present to obtain my nomination forms, and I’m also calling on Nigerians, or those aspiring to contest various positions being advertised by the party that they should.

“We were asked to come here, and we are here. I have obtained my own form now.”

Asked if he stands a chance against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi, Buba said he stands a good chance, adding that the PDP government in the state has failed. 

“We stand a very good chance to take over Bauchi from the ruling PDP. I am optimistic because Bauchi is an APC state, and you can attest to that. The PDP government has failed the people of Bauchi. Being the first person to obtain the form as an aspirant, be rest assured that, if I get the ticket, we will send the PDP out,” he said.