President Bola Tinubu has decisively won the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election held in Borno state, securing over 400,000 votes and defeating his only challenger, Stanley Osayamen Osifo, who failed to receive any votes in the exercise.
Details of the Primary Election
The primary election, conducted across the 27 local government areas (LGAs) of the northeastern state, saw President Tinubu poll 414,988 votes, while Osifo, an Edo-born businessman, recorded zero votes. The results were announced on Saturday, May 23, by Governor Babagana Zulum, who served as the collation officer for the exercise.
Governor Zulum declared the outcome at the APC state secretariat in Maiduguri, describing the process as peaceful and transparent. He disclosed that a total of 430,715 voters were registered for the exercise, out of which about 416,000 delegates and party members were accredited. According to him, out of the 430,715 registered voters in Borno state, 416,000 were accredited, while a total of 414,988 votes were cast.
Governor Zulum's Announcement
Zulum explained that two aspirants contested for the party’s presidential ticket in the state: President Tinubu and Osifo. He stated that Tinubu secured all valid votes cast during the exercise, while his challenger polled zero votes. The governor announced that a total of 414,988 votes were cast in favour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while his contender scored zero votes in Borno state.
Declaring the final result, Professor Zulum said: “Therefore, I, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the State Collation Officer, hereby announce President Bola Tinubu, who scored 414,988 votes in Borno State, as the winner of the presidential primary election in Borno State held today, 23rd of May, 2026, to the glory of God and to the benefit of mankind.”
Significance of the Victory
Nigeria's Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, hails from Borno state, making the victory particularly significant for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections. The primary election was conducted peacefully across all local government areas, according to Zulum.
Next Steps
President Tinubu is expected to receive the certificate of return and the APC flag as its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections on Sunday, May 24. The presentation will take place in Abuja, following the nationwide collation of the party’s presidential primary election results.
