The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has urged Nigerians to celebrate Kogi State youths for donating N100 million towards President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential nomination forms, describing the gesture as a historic milestone.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC has directed groups and individuals planning to purchase expression of interest and nomination forms for Tinubu’s re-election bid to desist, following the Kogi youths’ presentation of a N100 million payment teller on Monday. The delegation, led by Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, handed over both a dummy cheque and proof of actual payment to the party’s national leadership in Abuja.
Yilwatda praised the initiative, noting it marks the first time in Nigeria’s history that youths are contributing to a leader’s campaign rather than seeking handouts. “We saw many young people appointed as CEOs in different capacities. That is why these youths have donated the sum of N100 million to Mr. President. This is something all Nigerians, especially the youths and party members, should be proud of,” he said.
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He emphasized that the funds are real money transferred to the party’s account, not mere promises or AI-generated hype.The APC chairman highlighted this as the second such commitment, after another youth group presented a N200 million dummy cheque without following through. “With this payment, I want to announce that nobody should bother bringing money again to buy the form for Mr. President because the form has already been procured in advance by the Kogi youths,” Yilwatda declared.
He also ruled out any price hikes for nomination forms ahead of the 2027 elections, pointing to recent reductions of up to 50% or more compared to 2022. “Money is not our priority. Our priority is inclusiveness, so that even the poorest of the poor can access our forms and contest,” he added.
Governor Ododo justified the donation, stating “In the history of this country, no government has given youths space the way Mr. President has done. I am a beneficiary of that.”
Kogi youth leader, Mr. Mundi, vowed to cover any potential increase in form costs, assuring “We already have more than N100 million reserved in case there is any increase.”
