President Bola Tinubu completely dominated the APC presidential primaries on Saturday, crushing his sole opponent, Mr. Stanley Osifo, in a nationwide vote that doubled as a massive referendum on his administration.
The election turned into a sweeping show of force for the incumbent.
Backed by a united front of governors, ministers, and lawmakers, Tinubu cleared victories across all 8,809 wards.
By press time, collated results showed the President clearing over 8.2 million votes, leaving Osifo with negligible numbers—including a mere five votes in Bayelsa and just one vote in his home state of Edo.
Large crowds turned out for the largely peaceful exercise.
Across diverse states like Kaduna, Rivers, and Borno, party stakeholders celebrated the primary as a definitive display of the APC’s grassroots machinery and solidarity ahead of the 2027 polls.
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 Governor 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 organised.”
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.”
The President reiterated the APC’s commitment to transparent and inclusive democratic processes, emphasizing that grassroots members must always have the freedom to choose their leaders and representatives.
In a similar vein, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, commended the primary after casting his vote at the Ampang East Ward in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State.
He described the election as a significant democratic milestone that highlighted the ruling party’s internal cohesion and strength.
Yilwatda, who expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the exercise, said: “The calm and coordinated atmosphere witnessed here reflects the commitment of party faithful to internal democracy and credible electoral processes.
“This is a critical democratic exercise that underscores the strength and unity of the APC as we prepare for the 2027 general elections.”
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