By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Nigeria’s political landscape is gradually tilting toward another decisive electoral cycle, as leading figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) begin to formalise their ambitions.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has picked up the Presidential Expression of Interest and Nomination Form of the party, signalling what appears to be a firm step toward seeking a fresh mandate under the APC platform.
The development was confirmed by the Member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, James Abiodun Faleke, who disclosed that he personally paid for and collected the nomination form on behalf of the president.
Faleke, a long-standing ally of Tinubu and a key figure within Lagos APC politics, also obtained nomination forms for other prominent party stakeholders. These include the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, Senator representing Lagos West, Idiat Oluranti Adebule, and himself.
While the APC is yet to officially release the full timetable for its primaries, the early procurement of forms by influential figures is widely interpreted within political circles as a strategic move to consolidate support and signal readiness ahead of intra-party contests.
Political observers note that such early declarations often serve multiple purposes: energising grassroots structures, reassuring loyalists, and subtly shaping the internal dynamics of party competition.
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The Merit Newspaper reports that for President Tinubu, the move—though not accompanied by a formal declaration speech—reinforces ongoing speculations about his intention to remain a central figure in Nigeria’s political future under the APC. His administration, which has been marked by bold economic reforms and contentious policy shifts, is expected to face both support and scrutiny as the electoral process unfolds.
In Lagos, the simultaneous purchase of forms for Hamzat, Adebule, and Faleke suggests a coordinated political alignment among key actors within the state’s APC structure. Analysts believe this could point to a broader strategy aimed at maintaining cohesion within the party’s influential Lagos bloc, long regarded as a stronghold of APC politics.
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However, the developments may also set the stage for intense negotiations and possible rivalries as other aspirants declare their interests in the coming weeks. Within the APC, internal democracy and consensus-building mechanisms will likely play a crucial role in determining eventual flag bearers.
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As Nigerians watch closely, the early movements within the ruling party underscore a familiar reality: even before official campaign seasons begin, the contest for power is already quietly underway.
