Tinubu Wins Landslide in APC Presidential Primaries

Tinubu Wins Landslide in APC Presidential Primaries

·      Tinubu Secures Landslide Victory Across States

·      Rivers and Kaduna Deliver Overwhelming Support

·      Grassroots Mobilization Strengthens APC’s Strategy

·      Certificate of Return and Next Steps for Tinubu

·      Historical Context of APC’s Political Dominance

The All Progressives Congress (APC) held its presidential primaries across Nigeria on May 23, 2026, in preparation for the 2027 general elections. The exercise was conducted simultaneously in 8,809 wards nationwide, with two candidates on the ballot: President Bola Tinubu and Stanley Osifo. Tinubu emerged with a sweeping victory, securing overwhelming support across multiple states and pushing closer to his bid for re-election as Nigeria’s president.

Nationwide Participation and Tinubu’s Victory

President Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, cast their votes in Ikoyi, Lagos, joining millions of APC members in the direct primary exercise. Tinubu emphasized that democracy is sustained by citizens, institutions, and grassroots participation rather than noise or speculation. The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, governors, lawmakers, and other party leaders also participated across various states.

Landslide Results in Key States

In Rivers State, Tinubu scored 280,468 votes, while Osifo recorded none. Obio/Akpor Local Government Area delivered the highest tally with 28,680 votes. Kaduna State also unanimously endorsed Tinubu across all 255 wards, with a massive turnout of party members. In Akwa Ibom, Tinubu secured 389,197 votes, again with Osifo recording zero. Governor Umo Eno praised the peaceful conduct of the primaries and noted the strong support for Tinubu. Similarly, in Kogi State, Tinubu won with 197,370 votes, while in Ogun State he polled 322,485 votes. Bayelsa also delivered over 277,000 votes in his favor.

Grassroots Mobilization and Party Strategy

The primaries witnessed mass turnout across the country, including Kebbi State, where thousands participated through voice votes. Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State urged opposition parties to emulate APC’s grassroots mobilization strategy, noting that Tinubu’s performance merited a second term. He highlighted APC’s electronic membership registration as a key factor in strengthening grassroots participation, citing over 35,000 registered members in a single ward in Oru East, Imo State.

Certificate of Return and Next Steps

Tinubu is set to receive the APC’s Certificate of Return and party flag as its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja. The event will be attended by APC governors, members of the National Executive Committee, National Working Committee, and other party stalwarts.

Historical Context

The APC, which came to power in 2015 by defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), remains Nigeria’s ruling party. While the opposition has accused the APC of misruling, the party continues to emphasize its grassroots strength and electoral success.