Isaac Samuel
President Bola Tinubu on Saturday recorded a sweeping victory in the All Progressives Congress presidential primary, defeating his sole challenger, Stanley Osifo, as the ruling party closed ranks behind his second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The nationwide direct primary, conducted across the APC’s 8,809 wards, largely became an endorsement exercise for the President, with governors, party leaders, and grassroots members openly rallying support for his candidacy.
Tinubu secured overwhelming votes in states across the country, while Osifo recorded little or no support in most areas.
The exercise came despite earlier endorsements granted to Tinubu by major organs of the party, including the National Executive Committee, National Working Committee, Progressive Governors Forum, and several state chapters.
Speaking after casting his vote at Ward L2 in Ikoyi, Lagos, Tinubu described the exercise as a demonstration of internal democracy and grassroots participation.
“This is a demonstration of internal democracy. This is politics; grassroots politics, where every member of the party has a right to participate and be involved. It’s to ensure that we have internal democracy, and it’s peaceful and well-organised,” he said
The President voted alongside the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Also reacting, the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said early results from across the country showed that Tinubu was heading for a landslide victory.
“Party members were happy to go out and vote for the aspirant of their choice. Results have been collated across the states and the FCT. From what I have seen so far, it’s going to be a landslide victory for President Bola Tinubu,” Basiru stated.
In Kaduna State, APC members across the 255 wards unanimously affirmed Tinubu as the party’s presidential candidate.
Governor Uba Sani, who monitored parts of the exercise, commended members for conducting themselves peacefully.
In Kebbi State, Tinubu polled 5,652 votes in Governor Nasir Idris’ Nassarawa II Ward in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area.
Bayelsa State delivered 277,192 votes for the President, while Osifo managed only five votes statewide.
Governor Douye Diri, who announced the results, said the exercise was peaceful and in line with party guidelines.
In Abia State, former governor and senator representing Abia North, Orji Kalu, led thousands of APC members to participate in the exercise in support of Tinubu.
Similarly, APC members in Plateau State turned out in large numbers to endorse the President, with long queues reported in several local government areas.
Oyo State also recorded a massive turnout across its 351 wards, with party leaders describing the process as peaceful, transparent, and credible.
In Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo announced that Tinubu secured 131,096 votes, while Osifo polled just one vote.
Osun State delivered 100,880 votes for the President, with Osifo failing to record any vote. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who served as collation officer in the state, described the exercise as peaceful.
In Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara said Tinubu secured all valid votes cast in the exercise, polling 280,082 votes, while Osifo scored zero.
Gombe State also recorded a landslide for the President, who secured 450,517 votes. Governor Muhammadu Yahaya said the result reflected the state’s strong support for Tinubu and the APC.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress continues to battle internal disagreements over its presidential ticket ahead of its primary scheduled for Monday.
The Chairman of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee, John Oyegun, said the party preferred a consensus arrangement but would proceed with direct primaries if aspirants failed to agree.
Among those seeking the ADC ticket are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
Amaechi has insisted he will not step down for any aspirant, maintaining that party members should decide the outcome through a transparent contest.
