Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara was notably absent as the APC screened 14 governors seeking re-election ahead of the 2027 general elections. President Bola Tinubu’s sole challenger, Stanley Osifo, was also screened.

The screening committee, chaired by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, assessed governors, including Abba Yusuf (Kano), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), and Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta). Fubara reportedly obtained nomination forms through a proxy against FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s opposition.

Key Points:

Fubara’s absence raises questions about his political future amid his ongoing feud with predecessor Nyesom Wike.
President Tinubu, facing only one challenger, suggests the party’s nomination is all but settled.
The screening of 14 governors shows most APC state chief executives are seeking re-election.
Aspirants from Bauchi and Kwara states expressed concerns about consensus being used to manipulate primaries.
Timing of the screening, ahead of primaries starting May 15, keeps APC on track for INEC’s election calendar.

Sources: The Punch, Vanguard

Beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in Anambra State have endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office and donated N10,735,500 towards the purchase of his expression of interest form.

Speaking at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Igbariam on Friday, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students Joint Campus Council in Anambra State, Ifeanyichukwu Chukwuemeka, described the gesture as a show of appreciation for Tinubu’s educational reforms and youth-focused policies. The students said the endorsement recognises the impact of the loan scheme on access to higher education.

Key Points:

Students who benefited from government loans are now publicly backing the president’s re-election.
The N10.7 million donation raises questions about where students sourced such a large sum.
Other NELFUND beneficiaries across Nigeria may feel pressure to show similar political support.
The president’s educational policies gain visible grassroots validation from direct beneficiaries.
The timing of this endorsement, well before the 2027 election, helps build early momentum for Tinubu’s campaign.

Sources: The Punch

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has generated over N20 billion from the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms to aspirants seeking its ticket for various offices in the 2027 general election. The ruling party pegged presidential forms at N100 million, governorship at N50 million, Senate at N20 million, House of Representatives at N10 million, and State Houses of Assembly at N5 million.

Two presidential aspirants, about 90 governorship contenders in 28 states, several National Assembly aspirants, and 990 State Houses of Assembly aspirants purchased forms. Screening of aspirants commenced on May 8.

Key Points:

Aspirants spending millions on forms may feel entitled to recoup their investment through the office.
The high cost of forms could exclude talented but less wealthy Nigerians from political participation.
Female aspirants, youths, and physically challenged contenders received a 50% concession on nomination fees.
The ruling party’s revenue from form sales provides significant funding for primary election logistics.
The timing of the N20 billion windfall, months before the election, gives the APC a financial advantage over opposition parties.

Sources: Leadership