Tinubu Meets Akpabio, Doguwa, Others as 2027 Campaigns Begin

 

By Abdulahi Musa 

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday held a series of closed-door meetings with senior political and government officials at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, barely hours before the official commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had fixed Wednesday, August 19, 2026, as the date for the commencement of political campaigns ahead of the elections.

Among those who visited the President at the State House was the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who arrived at the forecourt of the President’s office at about 6:12pm in his official vehicle.

At the time of Akpabio’s arrival, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, was reportedly already meeting with the President.

The member representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State in the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, was also sighted at the Presidential Villa at about 7:15pm.

Doguwa’s arrival came shortly after the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, was seen arriving at the Villa. Doguwa had earlier participated in the National Peace Committee’s peace accord signing ceremony in Abuja.

Oyetola’s visit also came shortly after the conclusion of the Osun State governorship election in which Governor Ademola Adeleke was declared the winner.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, was another senior government official seen at the Presidential Villa during the period, reportedly ahead of Wednesday’s scheduled Federal Executive Council meeting.

The specific agenda of the meetings was not disclosed, as none of the officials spoke to journalists after their separate engagements with the President.

The series of meetings came as political activities for the 2027 general elections officially entered a new phase, with parties and candidates now permitted to commence campaigns ahead of the presidential and other elections.