By Mokobia Rita.
ABUJA/Nigeria: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has further consolidated his hold on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) after securing a commanding victory in the party’s nationwide presidential primaries, polling 10.99 million votes to emerge as the party’s standard bearer for the 2027 presidential election.
The outcome of the exercise, conducted across the country’s 8,809 wards, reinforced Tinubu’s dominance within the APC and underscored the extensive political machinery the president continues to command within the ruling party.
Tinubu defeated his sole challenger, Stanley Osifo, who garnered 16,503 votes, drawing his support largely from states including Niger, Kano, Lagos, Abia, Oyo, Benue and Nasarawa.
Official figures released by the APC indicated that out of the party’s 12.643 million registered members, more than 11 million members were accredited, while 11.015 million valid votes were recorded during the primary election.
Declaring the results at the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre, Chairman of the APC Presidential Primary Collation Committee, Anyim Pius Anyim, described the exercise as peaceful, transparent and widely participatory.
According to him, Tinubu recorded victories in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, posting overwhelming margins in many states where governors and party leaders coordinated the primary process.
Although overshadowed by the president’s dominant showing, Osifo posted modest performances in a few states, recording 5,248 votes in Niger, 2,675 votes in Kano, 1,186 votes in Lagos and 1,007 votes in Abia.
In several APC-controlled states, however, the challenger reportedly failed to secure any votes, highlighting the depth of Tinubu’s political structure and influence within the party hierarchy.
The atmosphere at the conference venue reflected both celebration and strategic positioning as governors, lawmakers, ministers and party stalwarts openly rallied behind the president in a show of unity ahead of what is expected to be a highly competitive 2027 general election.
APC National Chairman, Nentewa Yilwatda, commended the conduct of the exercise and praised both aspirants for maintaining decorum throughout the process.
“The agents challenged results where necessary, corrections were made transparently, and the process demonstrated that the APC remains open and democratic,” he said.
He also applauded governors and party officials who served as returning officers, describing their contributions as sacrifices made in the interest of party cohesion and national stability.
Moments after the announcement, President Tinubu formally accepted the party’s nomination for a second term bid and used the occasion to defend the economic reforms and policies introduced by his administration.
Standing before party leaders alongside First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, the president described his re-nomination as a mandate to deepen ongoing reforms.
He acknowledged the challenges associated with some of the administration’s economic policies but insisted they were necessary to stabilise the economy and lay the foundation for sustainable growth.
“Continuity is essential,” Tinubu declared. “We must consolidate reform, secure progress and strengthen the foundation of a modern Nigeria.”
The president also pledged renewed investments in security, infrastructure, education and economic expansion while expressing appreciation to party supporters and grassroots mobilisers for sustaining confidence in his leadership.
Despite the celebratory mood within APC ranks, the outcome now shifts attention to the broader national electorate as Nigerians continue to grapple with economic hardship, inflation and security concerns.
While the primaries delivered unity and triumph for the ruling party, political observers say the greater challenge lies ahead as Nigerians weigh whether ongoing reforms have translated into tangible improvements in their daily lives ahead of the 2027 contest.
