President Bola Tinubu has been declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections after overwhelmingly defeating his only rival, Stanley Osifo, in the party’s national direct primaries. The result was announced during the collation process held at the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, where Tinubu secured 10.99 million votes compared to Osifo’s 16,504 votes. The primaries took place across 8,809 wards nationwide, with results from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) presented by APC governors and top party officials.
The collation was overseen by the Presidential Primary Election Committee, chaired by former Senate President Pius Anyim. Governors from 31 states, along with state coordinators and collation officers, submitted their results to the committee, confirming Tinubu’s dominance in every part of the country. He won 100% of the votes in most states, showcasing an unprecedented level of party unity and support. The results reflect a strong mandate from APC members across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
Despite the overwhelming victory, Osifo managed to secure notable votes in a few states, demonstrating his grassroots presence. In Niger State, he received 5,248 votes, followed by 2,675 in Kano, 1,186 in Lagos, 1,007 in Abia, 929 in Oyo, 779 in Benue, and 768 in Nasarawa. These figures indicate that while Tinubu’s support was nationwide, Osifo’s campaign resonated in certain areas, particularly in the North and South-West.
The APC’s direct primary system, which involved physical voting in polling units across the country, was designed to ensure transparency and inclusivity. The process allowed party members to directly choose their preferred candidate, reinforcing democratic principles within the party. Tinubu’s victory solidifies his position as the APC’s standard-bearer in the upcoming presidential election, setting the stage for a major contest against candidates from other political parties.
With the APC primaries concluded, attention now shifts to the general elections, where Tinubu will face opposition from various political fronts. His campaign will likely focus on economic reforms, job creation, and national security, key issues that have shaped Nigeria’s political discourse in recent years. The outcome of the APC primaries underscores the party’s internal cohesion and Tinubu’s strong leadership position as he prepares for the national stage.
Leave a Comment