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.
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 organized.”
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 the strength and unity of APC—Yilwatda
Similarly, National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who voted at Ampang East Ward in the 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.
