APC primary: Tinubu defeats Osifo with over 10.9 million votes, vows to continue reforms

President Bola Tinubu has clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket for the 2027 election after winning the party’s direct primary with 10,999,162 votes.

Tinubu overwhelmingly defeated his sole opponent, Stanley Osifo, who polled 16,503 votes nationwide during the exercise held across 8,809 wards in Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT.

Declaring the results in Abuja, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim said the president dominated voting across the federation.

Tinubu’s biggest support came from Lagos where he secured 814,988 votes, while Adamawa delivered 644,149 votes and Kaduna recorded 618,914 votes.

The president also posted strong numbers in Kano, Imo, Katsina and Gombe states, further consolidating his hold on the ruling party.

Osifo’s performance was largely symbolic, with the Edo-born businessman polling only one vote in his home state and recording zero votes in 21 states and the FCT.

Following his victory, Tinubu addressed party leaders and supporters, pledging to deepen economic reforms and strengthen national unity.

“In 2022, our task was to chart a new direction for our party and nation. Today, our task is to affirm that continuity is essential — to consolidate reform, secure progress, and strengthen the foundation of a modern Nigeria,” he said.

Tinubu acknowledged the economic hardship facing many Nigerians but insisted his administration was laying the foundation for long-term recovery.

“Many Nigerians still struggle with rising costs and economic adjustment. We do not dismiss these concerns; we understand them and govern not in comfort but in reality, with honesty and action,” he stated.

The president highlighted achievements in education financing, power sector reforms, infrastructure development and revenue growth under his administration.

He said the government had supplied 2.5 million electricity meters through the Presidential Metering Initiative and established a N4 trillion bond programme to settle debts owed to power generation companies.

On fuel subsidy removal and forex reforms, Tinubu maintained that the policies were necessary to stabilise the economy.

“We moved away from wasteful fuel subsidies, unstable exchange rates, and weak infrastructure,” he said, adding that “foreign reserves are rising, and our economic outlook is positive.”

Tinubu also appealed for national unity ahead of the 2027 election.

“Let us come together as Nigerians, from north to south, east to west, to consolidate our gains, tackle our challenges, and seize the promise of a greater tomorrow,” he said.

Reacting to the outcome, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda dismissed criticisms surrounding the primary process, describing the exercise as a preview of the party’s strength ahead of the general election.

“This is only a mock demonstration of what the general election will look like. No political party can showcase one-tenth of what we presented,” Yilwatda said.

Meanwhile, the presidential primary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is expected to hold with Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayattu-Deen battling for the party’s ticket.

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