ABUJA – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has clinched the All Progressives Congress presidential ticket for the 2027 election after recording overwhelming victories in the party’s direct primary held nationwide on Saturday.
The exercise, which allowed registered APC members to vote at the ward level, saw Tinubu defeat his sole challenger, Stanley Osifo, by wide margins across most states where results were announced.
Party officials described the primary as largely peaceful and orderly, saying it reinforced Tinubu’s dominance within the ruling party ahead of his second-term bid.
Several states delivered near-unanimous support. Sokoto returned all 301,000 votes cast for Tinubu, while Ebonyi gave him all 207,579 valid votes. Rivers posted 280,082 votes for the president with none for Osifo. Edo recorded only one vote for Osifo, and Bayelsa recorded five.
Imo posted one of the highest figures with 582,823 votes for Tinubu against Osifo’s 103. Kano followed with 500,852 votes to 2,675, while Gombe delivered 450,516 votes for the president.
Other high returns included Delta with 407,646 votes, Akwa Ibom 389,197, Benue 375,507, Zamfara 321,579, Kwara 310,990, Plateau 242,023 to 303, and Bayelsa 277,192.
Governors and party leaders called the exercise transparent and credible. Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said the direct primary model had strengthened internal democracy, while Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma said turnout showed growing grassroots support.
“If only our party members vote for President Tinubu, he has already won the election,” Uzodimma said.
Speaking after voting in Lagos, Tinubu described the process as a demonstration of internal democracy. “This is grassroots politics where every member has the right to participate to ensure we have internal democracy,” he said.
Kaduna Governor Uba Sani said the massive turnout reflected “unity, loyalty and confidence” in the APC and Tinubu’s leadership.
Tinubu is expected to receive his certificate of return and the APC flag as presidential candidate following the completion of nationwide collation. APC governors, NEC and NWC members, National Assembly leaders, and other party stakeholders are expected at the event in Abuja.
