Hon. James Faleke has obtained the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for President Bola Tinubu, marking the official start of the president’s re-election bid for the 2027 general elections.

The forms were picked up on Tuesday at the Abuja Continental Hotel by a delegation from the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Faleke paid ₦100 million for the forms on behalf of Tinubu.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.

INEC also fixed party primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026. Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will start on September 9, 2026.

Meanwhile, the APC has released its timetable for the elections. Sale of forms runs from April 25 to May 2, with submission closing on May 4, 2026. Screening of aspirants is scheduled for May 6 to May 9, while appeals will hold from May 12 to May 13.

Primary elections will take place between May 15 and May 23, 2026, covering all elective positions.

The party also outlined fees for aspirants, with presidential forms costing ₦30 million for Expression of Interest and ₦70 million for Nomination. Discounts were announced for women, youths, and persons with disabilities.

The Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the top leadership body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, has endorsed Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as its consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

The endorsement followed a meeting of party leaders held at the governor’s office in Alausa, where Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu publicly supported Hamzat, describing him as the best man for the job.

At the meeting, Sanwo-Olu symbolically raised Hamzat’s hand, a gesture that was applauded by party leaders present.

Speaking afterward at Lagos House, Marina, GAC Chairman Tajudeen Olusi confirmed that the council had unanimously agreed on Hamzat’s candidacy.

He added that members of the council have pledged their full support for the deputy governor.

Sanwo-Olu also revealed that party leaders have resolved to contribute funds to purchase Hamzat’s nomination form ahead of the election.

The development comes amid ongoing discussions about potential contenders for the APC governorship ticket in Lagos.

However, former governorship candidate Abdul-Azeez Adediran had earlier stated that no official decision had been made on a preferred aspirant, noting that he would abide by the party’s final position when announced.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday received Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani at the Presidential Villa in Abuja

Details of the meeting were not officially disclosed as of the time of filing this report.

However, the visit may be linked to recent developments within the All Progressives Congress ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026.

Governor Sani was recently appointed as Chairman of the party’s Ekiti State Governorship Election Campaign Council, a role that positions him at the forefront of the APC’s campaign efforts in the state.

In addition, he serves as the party’s Coordinating Governor for the North-West and was earlier appointed by President Tinubu as Renewed Hope Ambassador and Deputy Director-General for outreach, engagement, and mobilisation.