President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 general elections after recording a sweeping victory in the party’s nationwide direct primary.
The APC primary, conducted across 8,809 wards in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, saw Tinubu secure 10,999,162 votes, defeating his sole challenger, businessman Stanley Osifo, who polled 16,503 votes.
The results were announced in Abuja by Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, chairman of the APC Presidential Primary Election Committee.
Tinubu Dominates Across States
Tinubu recorded commanding victories across the federation, posting some of his highest figures in Lagos with 814,988 votes, Adamawa with 644,149, Kaduna with 618,914, Imo with 582,960, Kano with 500,852, Katsina with 467,003 and Gombe with 450,517 votes.
The president also secured significant support across the South-South, South-East, North-East and Middle Belt, reinforcing his dominance within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
A state-by-state breakdown showed Tinubu winning overwhelmingly in virtually all states, including Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Benue, Sokoto, Ogun, Plateau and Borno.
Osifo Records Minimal Showing
In contrast, Osifo’s performance remained largely symbolic. His best outings came from Niger State where he polled 5,248 votes, Kano with 2,675 votes, Bauchi with 2,650 votes and Abia with 1,007 votes.
The Edo-born aspirant reportedly secured only one vote in his home state and failed to record any vote in 21 states and the FCT, including Osun, Kogi, Delta, Ogun, Rivers, Ondo, Sokoto and Cross River.
Osifo had purchased the APC presidential nomination form for N100 million and refused to step down after attempts to produce a consensus candidate collapsed.
Tinubu Warns Against “Visionless” Opposition
Speaking after receiving the APC flag and Certificate of Return at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, Tinubu urged Nigerians not to entrust the country to politicians “with no clear alternative vision.”
The president said the 2027 election should serve as a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s democratic maturity and a continuation of ongoing reforms initiated by his administration.
“To those who differ with our philosophy, we offer dialogue and engagement, confident that the sincerity of our purpose and the results of our work will speak for themselves,” Tinubu said.
He added that democracy thrives on diversity of ideas rather than uniformity, stressing that political disagreements should not threaten national unity.
Tinubu also praised Osifo for participating in the contest and accepting the outcome peacefully, saying he held no grudge against his opponent.
Tinubu Defends Economic Reforms
The president used the occasion to defend his administration’s economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidy, exchange rate reforms and fiscal restructuring.
According to him, the reforms have improved macroeconomic stability, strengthened government revenues and increased foreign reserves despite inflationary pressures linked to global geopolitical tensions.
Tinubu highlighted achievements in education financing, electricity metering, power generation, road construction, social investment programmes and oil sector reforms.
He said over N282 billion had been disbursed under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to more than 1.5 million beneficiaries, while 2.5 million electricity meters had been supplied through the Presidential Metering Initiative.
On security, Tinubu acknowledged persistent challenges in parts of the country but pledged to intensify efforts to restore peace and strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
He also renewed calls for constitutional amendments to allow the creation of state police.
APC Describes Primary as “Dress Rehearsal” for 2027
APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda dismissed criticisms surrounding the party’s primaries, describing the exercise as a preview of what Nigerians should expect during the 2027 general election.
Yilwatda said the turnout recorded during the direct primary demonstrated the ruling party’s nationwide strength and growing acceptance.
He also rejected allegations of irregularities circulating on social media, insisting that many viral videos linked to the process were unrelated to APC activities.
ADC Set for Fierce Presidential Battle
Meanwhile, focus has shifted to the African Democratic Congress where former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and economist Mohammed Hayattu-Deen are set to contest the party’s presidential primary.
The contest follows failed efforts by party leaders to produce a consensus candidate ahead of the primary election.
Ahead of the exercise, Atiku urged delegates to prioritise competence, national reach and electability, warning against what he described as “political experimentation.”
Obi Emerges NDC Sole Aspirant
In a separate development, former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has emerged as the sole presidential aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
With Tinubu now firmly holding the APC ticket and opposition parties preparing to unveil their flagbearers, political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election are rapidly gathering momentum across the country.
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