President Bola Tinubu has emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general election after securing a landslide victory in the party's presidential primary election.
Primary Election Results Announced
Chairman and Returning Officer of the APC Presidential Primary Election Committee, former Senate President Pius Anyim, announced the results at the International Conference Centre in Abuja. He stated that the exercise was successfully conducted across the 36 states, 774 local government areas, and 8,809 wards nationwide.
Senator Anyim noted that two aspirants contested the primary: the incumbent President Tinubu and Mr. Stanley Osifo. A total of 12,643,306 party members were registered for the exercise, with 11,069,756 accredited to vote. Ultimately, 11,015,665 accredited members cast their ballots.
Tinubu's Landslide Victory
Announcing the final results, the returning officer said Tinubu polled 10,999,162 votes, defeating his challenger by a wide margin, while Osifo secured 16,503 votes. Anyim declared: "It is therefore my duty as the Returning Officer for this primary election to declare President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, having satisfied the requirements of the APC constitution and guidelines and scored the highest number of votes, as the winner of the primary election and elected as the party's presidential candidate."
The announcement was met with loud applause and chants from party members and supporters at the venue.
APC Chairman Commends Process
Earlier, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda commended party members and stakeholders for what he described as a peaceful, transparent, and well-coordinated primary election across the country. He said the primaries reflected the party's commitment to internal democracy and inclusive participation, noting that the process was widely publicized to ensure credibility and public confidence.
Yilwatda stated that the party leadership worked closely with state chapters and technical committees to guarantee a transparent system that allowed members to actively participate. He added that the APC ensured broad media coverage, including live updates from various centers, to demonstrate openness and accountability.
The chairman also praised members of the electoral and transition committees for their cooperation, preparation, and dedication, saying their efforts contributed significantly to the smooth conduct of the process. He further appreciated party leaders and stakeholders for maintaining unity and discipline, stressing that the successful primaries strengthened confidence in the APC's democratic structures.
Tinubu's Arrival and Celebration
President Tinubu arrived at the collation venue at the International Conference Centre to a rousing reception from supporters chanting the popular slogan, "On your mandate we shall stand." He was received by Vice President Kashim Shettima and accompanied by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, alongside other party leaders and dignitaries.
Following the announcement of results, supporters broke into songs and celebration, chanting, "Stand up for the champion."
