Tinubu sweeps APC presidential primaries, floors Osifo nationwide

•Says exercise proves APC’s democratic credentials

•Governors, party leaders deliver massive votes across states

•Sole challenger records marginal votes in Abia, Bayelsa, Edo

•Exercise is a demonstration of internal democracy— President

By Clifford Ndujihe, Dapo Akinrefon, Samuel Oyadongha, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Egufe Yafugborhi, Steve Oko, Ochuko Akuopha, Ozioruva Aliu, Peter Duru, Daniel Abia, Emem Idio, Shina Abubakar, James Ogunnaike, Haruna Aliyu, Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo, Ndahi Marama, Musa Ubandawaki, Adeola Badru, Golok Nanmwa, Idris Salisu, Davies Iheamnachor & Matthew Johnson

LAGOS — PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, coasted to victory in the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential primaries for the 2027 general election, overwhelming his lone challenger, Mr. Stanley Osifo, in a nationwide exercise that turned into a massive endorsement of his leadership and administration.

In what party leaders described as a resounding vote of confidence in the President, Tinubu secured landslide victories across the country’s 8,809 wards, polling millions of votes as governors, ministers, lawmakers and party stakeholders rallied support for his re-election bid.

At press time, collated figures from several states showed the President amassing over 8.2 million votes, while Osifo managed only isolated votes in a few areas, including 1,007 votes in Abia State, five votes in Bayelsa State and one vote in his native Edo State.

The nationwide exercise, conducted peacefully in most parts of the country, drew large crowds of party faithful, who turned out in their wards to participate in the APC presidential primary election.

From Lagos to Borno, Kebbi to Delta, Kaduna to Rivers, party leaders described the exercise as a demonstration of APC’s unity, grassroots strength and commitment to internal democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.

President Tinubu, who voted at Ikoyi-Obalende Ward L2 in Lagos alongside his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said the exercise further deepened democratic participation within the ruling party.

The President was received at the venue by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; former Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, and other party stalwarts.

Exercise is a demonstration 

of internal democracy

— Tinubu

Speaking shortly after casting his vote, Tinubu commended party members for the orderly conduct of the exercise and hailed the process as a strong reflection of democratic ideals within the APC.

“This is a demonstration of internal democracy, and it has been going on very well according to plan. This is grassroots politics where every member of the party has the right to participate,” the President said.

“It shows that we have internal democracy and it’s peaceful and well organised.”

Tinubu also applauded APC governors for supervising the process in their various states and ensuring credible participation from the grassroots.

“I am very satisfied that governors have done well in their various states, from the ward congresses to local government congresses to delegate accreditation, validation, membership registration and the certification of the electoral process.

“It has been done very well and with this, you could rate democracy at a high level,” he added.

The President reiterated that the APC remained committed to transparent and inclusive democratic processes that allow members at the grassroots to freely choose leaders and representatives.

It underscores strength, unity of APC—Yilwatda

Similarly, National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who voted at Ampang East Ward in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, described the primary as a major democratic exercise that underscored the strength and cohesion of the ruling party.

Yilwatda, who expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of party members during the exercise, said the orderly atmosphere reflected the commitment of APC faithful to democratic values.

He said: “The calm and coordinated atmosphere witnessed here reflects the commitment of party faithful to internal democracy and credible electoral processes.

“This is a critical democratic exercise that underscores the strength and unity of the APC as we prepare for the 2027 general elections.”

Also speaking, Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, said Nigerians still believed in the Tinubu administration despite prevailing economic challenges, noting that many citizens understood that the reforms being implemented would yield long-term benefits.

It shows why Nigerians will back Tinubu in 2027 

— Gbajabiamila

Gbajabiamila, who voted at Surulere Constituency I, Ward G2, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Lagos, described the massive turnout of party members as a clear indication of support for continuity beyond 2027.

According to him, the crowd that gathered during the exercise reflected growing confidence in Tinubu’s leadership and the APC government.

Across the states, APC governors and party leaders delivered overwhelming votes for the President.

In Borno State, Tinubu recorded a clean sweep in Mafa Ward, the home ward of Governor Babagana Zulum.

Out of 2,277 registered party members in the ward, 2,175 were accredited and all voted for Tinubu, while Osifo scored zero.

Governor Zulum, who coordinated the exercise in the state, said the turnout reflected the confidence party members had in the President.

“We have two candidates, President Tinubu and Mr. Stanley Osifo. We have a total of about 2,277 registered party members in Mafa Ward, out of which 2,175 were accredited for voting, and all voted for President Bola Tinubu while the other candidate scored zero,” Zulum stated.

In Kebbi State, Governor Nasir Idris, former governor and Ambassador Saidu Dakingari, alongside Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, mobilised party faithful for the exercise.

Tinubu polled 5,652 votes in Nassarawa II Ward, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area.

Declaring the result, Kebbi APC Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kana-Zuru, said the outcome reflected massive support for the President.

Governor Idris added: “I am overwhelmed by the large number of people who came out en masse to vote for President Bola Tinubu.”

In Osun State, the President polled 100,880 votes, while Osifo recorded no vote.

Declaring the result in Osogbo, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, who served as collation officer, commended party members for the peaceful conduct of the exercise.

According to him, out of 109,806 digitally registered APC members in the state, 100,880 were accredited for the primary election.

In Kaduna State, APC members staged what party leaders described as a massive show of unity as Tinubu was unanimously endorsed across the 255 political wards in the 23 local government areas of the state.

Governor Uba Sani, who monitored the process, praised party stakeholders for the peaceful conduct and impressive turnout recorded across the state.

“The overwhelming affirmation across the 255 wards in Kaduna State is a clear reflection of the confidence our party members and the people have in the leadership of President Bola Tinubu,” the governor said.

Former Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, also reaffirmed his support for Tinubu and the APC after participating in the exercise in his ward.

Amosun described the primary election as a demonstration of solidarity within the ruling party and evidence that APC members remained united ahead of the next electoral cycle.

In Benue State, former Nigerian Ambassador to Namibia and Coordinator of Renewed Hope Ambassadors for Tinubu 2027, Ambassador Terhemen Tarzoor, said the APC in the state remained united behind both President Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Tarzoor described the exercise as peaceful, organised and successful across the state.

In Abia State, Tinubu secured 161,005 votes to defeat Osifo, who polled 1,007 votes — the highest secured by the challenger in any state.

Announcing the result in Umuahia, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Benjamin Kalu, expressed optimism that the President would continue with his reforms and developmental programmes.

The exercise in Abia witnessed massive mobilisation of party faithful, driven largely by the activities of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors movement.

In Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin, who coordinated the exercise, described the turnout across the 351 wards in the state as evidence of growing confidence in Tinubu’s leadership.

“The remarkable turnout witnessed across Oyo State is a strong indication that Nigerians continue to place their confidence in the leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the APC ahead of the 2027 general election,” Folarin said.

“In Oyo State, we are already working towards improving the party’s 2023 presidential election performance by no fewer than 35 per cent through strategic mobilisation, reconciliation and stronger grassroots engagement.”

In Zamfara State, Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, led thousands of APC members and supporters in Maradun South Ward to endorse Tinubu.

Addressing party faithful, Matawalle said the turnout demonstrated the strong grassroots support enjoyed by the President.

“The massive support we are witnessing today is a clear indication that the people remain solidly behind President Bola Tinubu and the APC,” he stated.

Delta State also delivered overwhelming support for the President, who polled 407,646 votes across the 25 local government areas of the state.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who announced the result in Asaba, said APC had 467,815 registered members in the state, with 407,646 accredited voters participating in the exercise.

According to him, Tinubu secured all the votes cast, while Osifo recorded zero.

In Edo State, Tinubu polled 131,096 votes, while Osifo managed one vote.

Bayelsa State equally delivered a landslide for the President, who secured 277,192 votes against Osifo’s five votes.

Announcing the result, State Returning Officer, Senator Douye Diri, said the exercise was peaceful and conducted in accordance with party guidelines.

“I hereby certify that the results announced represent the true, correct and accurate collation of votes from all local government areas in Bayelsa State,” Diri declared.

“The process was conducted peacefully and in accordance with party guidelines.”

In Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who served as collation officer for the primary election, declared Tinubu winner with 280,082 votes.

According to him, out of the 297,068 registered APC members in the state, 280,082 were accredited and all voted for the President, while Osifo recorded no vote.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State also hailed the massive turnout across the state’s 177 wards, describing it as a resounding vote of confidence in Tinubu’s leadership and the APC’s democratic process.

Oyebanji said the exercise was peaceful, transparent and inclusive, adding that it was the first time ordinary party members directly participated in selecting the party’s presidential flag bearer nationwide.

He said: “The enthusiasm displayed by party members is a clear indication that our members are united in purpose and confident in the leadership direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

With the nationwide exercise now concluded, APC leaders said the overwhelming support recorded across the states has positioned the ruling party strongly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

For Tinubu, yesterday’s exercise was more than a routine primary election. It was a nationwide endorsement by party faithful determined to hand him the APC presidential ticket without resistance and consolidate the party’s structures ahead of the next electoral battle.

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