By EMMANUEL MOGBEDE

President Bola Tinubu has formally joined the presidential race to re-contest his position in the forthcoming 2027 presidential election, following the purchase of the APC Expression of Interest and Nomination forms.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 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.

NAN reports that under the APC’s current election schedule and timetable, the presidential nomination form is pegged at N100 million as was the case in the previous election cycle.

The party is expected to screen aspirants and open a window at its appeal committee for those who may have complaints at a fixed date.

The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr Duro Meseko, had earlier confirmed that the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms for all elective positions in 2027 general elections remained open to all aspiring party members across the country.

Meseko said this while briefing newsmen on the party’s revised 2027 election schedule and timetable.

According to him, APC’s presidential primary earlier fixed for May 15 has now been rescheduled to May 23, alongside other revised election dates. (NAN)

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