..Defeats Sole Challenger Osifo in Historic Direct Primary Across 8,809 Wards
..President Promises Economic Growth, Security Reforms and Democratic Consolidation
By Peter Sosanya
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general elections after securing a landslide victory in the party’s nationwide direct primary election.
Tinubu polled 10,999,967 votes to defeat his only challenger, Stanley Osifo, who garnered 16,504 votes across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The results, announced on Sunday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, were collated from direct primary elections conducted simultaneously in the country’s 8,809 wards on Saturday, May 23.
The presidential primary marked the APC’s first-ever direct primary for the office of the president, allowing registered party members nationwide to vote directly rather than relying on delegates.
The results were formally announced by the Chairman of the APC Presidential Primaries Election Committee, Senator Pius Anyim, while the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, later presented Tinubu with the party’s flag and certificate of return.
Tinubu recorded his highest votes in Lagos State, his political stronghold, where he polled 814,988 votes. He also secured massive victories in Adamawa with 644,149 votes, Kaduna with 618,914, Imo with 582,960, and Kano with 500,852 votes.
Other states where the president recorded impressive figures include Gombe with 450,517 votes, Katsina with 467,003, Borno with 414,988, Delta with 407,646, and Akwa Ibom with 389,197 votes.
Osifo, however, recorded minimal support in most states, polling his highest votes in Niger State with 5,248 votes, Kano with 2,675 votes, Bauchi with 2,650 votes, and Abia with 1,007 votes.
The challenger failed to secure any votes in 21 states and the FCT, including Ogun, Rivers, Ondo, Enugu, Ekiti, Kwara, Sokoto, Cross River, Taraba, Kebbi and Osun states.
A breakdown of Tinubu’s votes further reflected the president’s widespread dominance across the federation, with strong showings in virtually all geopolitical zones.
Speaking shortly after receiving his certificate of return, Tinubu thanked party members for reaffirming their confidence in his leadership and pledged to intensify efforts towards economic recovery and national development.
“In accepting this nomination, I renew my commitment to serve our nation with even greater determination,” the president said.
“With another four years of discipline, focus and national cooperation, we will firmly place Nigeria on an irreversible path of economic expansion, industrialisation, energy security, infrastructural development, food sovereignty and democratic consolidation,” he added.
Tinubu acknowledged the economic difficulties experienced by Nigerians following key reforms introduced by his administration, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the foreign exchange reforms initiated in 2023.
According to him, the reforms were necessary to stabilise the nation’s economy and lay the foundation for sustainable growth.
“You have given me the encouragement. Sometimes it is difficult, and I share the pain with you. I know what it is to reform an economy that was in tatters,” Tinubu stated.
“If you lost sleep, I lost some too. If you have lost weight, I think I have lost some too. But I have always remembered one thing: in 2022, I asked for this job, you all supported me, and I got it, so I must do it,” he said.
The president highlighted some of his administration’s achievements, including the student loan scheme, tax reforms and ongoing infrastructure projects across the country.
He disclosed that over ₦282 billion had been disbursed to about 1.5 million beneficiaries under the student loan programme.
Tinubu also promised to improve electricity supply, expand economic opportunities for young Nigerians and strengthen support for businesses if re-elected in 2027.
On insecurity, the president assured Nigerians that his administration would not relent until peace and stability were restored across the country.
“We will not rest until we restore peace and stability to every corner of our country,” Tinubu declared.
He revealed that the Federal Government had increased investments in intelligence gathering, surveillance systems, modern security equipment and support for security agencies.
Tinubu also called on the National Assembly to urgently amend the Constitution to allow the establishment of state police, describing the move as a matter of national importance.
“We also expect the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to allow the creation of state police as a matter of national emergency,” he said.
The president stressed that security and national stability remained critical to economic growth, democratic development and national unity.
He further urged Nigerians not to become complacent or distracted by politicians without clear alternatives, insisting that the 2027 elections should serve as “a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s democratic maturity.”
With the victory, Tinubu will now fly the APC flag in the 2027 presidential election as he seeks a second term in office.
