•N100m bank alert hits APC coffers as Gov. Ododo escorts youths.
••NWC vows to maintain low cost for 2027 forms to ensure inclusivity for women and the “poorest of the poor.”
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has told every group and individual still raising money for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election forms to stop; the forms are already covered.
Party chairman Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda gave the order on Monday in Abuja when Kogi youths, led by Governor Usman Ododo, handed over proof of a N100 million payment for the presidential nomination forms. A second youth bloc had earlier brandished a N200 million dummy cheque, but the cash never landed.
Nentawe praised the Kogi team for backing their talk with real money and, in the same breath, ruled out any price hike for nomination papers at next year’s polls.
“We’ve watched young people become CEOs across the country. Now these youths have pooled N100 million to buy Mr. President’s expression-of-interest and nomination forms. That’s something every Nigerian, especially the youths and party faithful, should be proud of.
“This is the first time in our history that youths aren’t asking the President for hand-outs; they’re buying his form for him. You are a torchlight, a pillar, an example to every youth in Nigeria, and we’re proud of you. The governor is here; they’ve presented both the dummy and the paid receipt. This isn’t a promise, a voice note, or AI—real money has hit the party’s account.
“They’re the second group to step forward. The first pledged but never paid. These ones pledged and paid. So I announce: no one else needs to bring money for Mr. President’s forms; the Kogi youths have already secured them.”
He added that the party has no plans to jack up form fees: “Look at the just-concluded congresses—we slashed form costs by nearly 50 percent compared with 2022. For lower-level offices we cut even deeper.
“We want the APC within reach of everyone. Money isn’t our priority; inclusion is. Even the poorest should afford our forms and contest. That’s how more young people and women can jump in. If you’ve got leadership qualities, cash shouldn’t block you.”
Governor Ododo, defending the purchase, said: “In this country’s history…”
