President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday held closed-door meetings with senior political and government officials at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, hours before the official commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general election on Wednesday, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Our correspondent observed the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, arrive at the forecourt of the President’s office at 6:12 pm in his official S-Class Mercedes sedan.

At the time of his arrival, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, was reportedly inside, meeting with the President.

The member representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State in the 10th House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, was also observed arriving at the corridor leading to the President’s office at 7:15 pm, roughly 20 minutes after the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, was seen arriving at the premises.

Doguwa had earlier attended the National Peace Committee peace accord signing in Abuja.

Oyetola’s visit comes just days after his successor as Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, was declared winner of the August 15 governorship election.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, was also seen at the Villa within the hour, likely ahead of Wednesday’s scheduled Federal Executive Council meeting.

The agenda of the various meetings was not disclosed as none of the officials spoke to journalists.

Tuesday’s flurry of engagements comes as INEC has earmarked August 19, 2026, as the official start of political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election. (PUNCH)

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