2027: Faleke Secures APC Presidential Forms for Tinubu as Re-Election Campaign Takes Shape
By Abiola Olawale
Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, the lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives, has formally obtained the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination and expression of interest forms on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marking a decisive early move in the race for the 2027 general elections. 
This development occurs against a backdrop of strategic consolidation within the ruling party. Faleke, widely regarded as a trusted strategist in the “Tinubu School of Politics” and a former Secretary of the APC 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, has once again stepped forward as a frontline mobilizer. The move is reminiscent of his role in 2022, when he led the Tinubu Support Group to secure the N100 million forms for Tinubu’s successful presidential bid. 
The House of Representatives member obtained the presidential forms at the APC national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The documents, valued at ₦100 million, were presented to Faleke by the APC National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu.
Electoral Timetable and Party Primaries
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027. The commission also announced that party primaries, including the resolution of related disputes, will run from April 23, 2026, to May 30, 2026.
INEC further stated that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while those for governorship and state assembly elections will commence on September 9, 2026.
APC’s Internal Timeline
For the APC, the party has scheduled the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to take place from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while submission of completed forms is set to close on May 4. Screening of aspirants across all elective positions – including State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential races – will be conducted between May 6 and May 9. The party also fixed May 12 to May 13 for screening appeals for State Assembly and House of Representatives aspirants.
Primary elections are scheduled to begin on May 15 with House of Representatives contests, followed by Senate, State Assembly, governorship, and presidential primaries, concluding on May 23.
Industry insiders suggest that Faleke’s early procurement of the forms signals a deliberate effort to project unity and preempt any internal dissent within the APC ahead of the primaries. The implications for the regional political landscape are significant, as Tinubu’s re-election bid is expected to test the party’s cohesion across West Africa’s largest democracy.
Source Content: The New Diplomat