A coalition of young people from Kogi State has raised N100 million to procure the presidential nomination form of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election, describing the contribution as a show of confidence in his administration.
The N100 million cheque was formally presented in Abuja on Monday to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo.
Although President Tinubu has not formally declared his intention to seek re-election in 2027, leaders and stakeholders within the APC have continued to signal support for his potential second-term bid.
Party organs including the National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, zonal structures and the Governors’ Forum have openly endorsed him.
Addressing journalists during the presentation, Yilwatda described the gesture as a proud moment for the party, noting that it reflected a shift in youth engagement with governance.
He stated, “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.”
According to him, the youths cited improvements in economic indices and security efforts as key motivations for raising the funds.
He said, “They listed their reasons, and they gave valid reasons why they want Mr President to come back. They said the economy has improved and that the indicators are looking green and positive. They also said Mr President is tackling security in their state, working together with the Governor to address pockets of insecurity within communities.
“Mr President has deployed the military, and the Governor has provided the enabling environment and supporting equipment for them to do their job. They also said Mr President has given Kogi indigenes several appointments, including the Chief of Army Staff, the INEC Chairman and other key positions.
“They further said that the Governor of Kogi State has performed excellently in infrastructure, road construction and agriculture. I have seen some of these projects on television, including the rice programme. He has empowered the youths and provided leadership for young people.
“We often say the youths are the leaders of tomorrow, but Mr Ododo and Mr President are saying the youths are the leaders of today. We can see this in the appointments made—many young people are now in governance.”
“Even in the party, I had the opportunity to become the youngest National Chairman under Mr President’s leadership. You can also see many young people appointed as CEOs in different capacities.”
Yilwatda said the party considered the donation historic and symbolic of growing youth participation in politics.
He continued, “That is why these youths have donated the sum of N100 million to Mr President for the purchase of his nomination form and expression of interest form. To me, this is something all Nigerians, especially the youths and party members, should be proud of. We are proud of the Kogi youths.
“This is the first time in Nigeria’s history that youths are not saying, ‘Take us to Mr President so he can give us something,’ but instead saying, ‘We don’t want to see him; we want to buy the form for him.’ That is unique. You are a torchlight. You are a pillar. You are an example to all the youths of Nigeria, and we are proud of you.
“The governor is here with them. They have presented both the dummy cheque and the actual payment. This is not a promise. This is not a voice note. This is not AI. This is real money. The cash has been paid into the party’s account.
“This is the second group to make such a commitment. The first group made a commitment but has not paid. These people came with both commitment and payment. 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.”
Governor Ododo, who accompanied the delegation, thanked God for what he described as visionary leadership at the national level.
He said, “I thank God Almighty for making this moment possible. We thank God for giving us a father—Mr. President—at this time in our country, a sincere leader who is leading from the front.
“In the history of this country, no government has given youths the space that Mr President has provided. I am a beneficiary of that.”
