A group of young people from Kogi State has raised N100 million to purchase the presidential nomination and expression of interest forms for Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election, in what party officials have described as an unprecedented demonstration of youth support.
The symbolic N100 million cheque was presented in Abuja on Monday to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo.
Although President Tinubu has yet to formally declare his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, senior figures within the ruling party have repeatedly indicated their expectation that he will seek a second term. Various organs of the APC, including the National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, zonal leadership and the Governors’ Forum, have publicly declared their support for his potential re-election bid.
Addressing journalists while displaying the cheque, Prof. Yilwatda described the occasion as one of the happiest moments for the party. He praised the initiative taken by the youths from Kogi State, noting that their action marked a departure from what he characterised as the traditional expectation of political patronage.
“We are seeing young people from Kogi State taking decisive action — not to ask what the government or the President will do for them, but to ask what they can do to support Mr President so that he will return in 2027 and do much more for their people,” he said.
According to the APC chairman, the youths cited economic improvements and enhanced security efforts as key reasons for raising the funds. He said they pointed to what they described as positive economic indicators and to ongoing collaboration between the Federal Government and the Kogi State administration in tackling insecurity.
Yilwatda added that the President had deployed military resources to the state, while the governor had provided logistical support and equipment. He further noted that several Kogi indigenes had been appointed to prominent national positions, which the youths regarded as evidence of inclusive governance.
In his remarks, Governor Ododo expressed gratitude for what he described as Tinubu’s youth-friendly leadership style. “In the history of this country, no government has given youths the space that Mr President has provided,” he said, adding that he himself was a beneficiary of that opportunity.
Yilwatda confirmed that the funds had been paid into the party’s account, stressing that the donation was neither symbolic nor a mere pledge. He also announced that, with the contribution from the Kogi youths, there was no need for further fundraising for the President’s nomination form, as it had effectively been secured in advance.
