Incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was on Sunday pronounced the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) direct presidential primary process held across 8,809 wards across the country.

Former Senate President and Chairman of the Presidential Election Committee, Anyim Pius Anyim, declared President Tinubu the APC presidential candidate ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

At an elaborate event held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, the former Senate President disclosed that Tinubu scored 10,999,162 votes, defeating his only rival, Stanley Osifo, who scored 16,503.

In attendance were serving governors who were state coordinators and returning officers in their respective states, members of the APC National Working Committee, and the two presidential aspirants, Bola Tinubu and Stanley Osifo.

Checks revealed that Osifo scored only one vote in his home state of Edo but put up an “impressive” performance in states such as Kano, Niger and Lagos, the home state of his rival, President Tinubu.

Osifo scored 1,186 votes to Tinubu’s 814,988 in Lagos. In Niger State, he scored 5,248 to President Tinubu’s 175,487. In Kano, Osifo scored 2,675 to President Tinubu’s 500,852 votes.

Declaring the results, Anyim noted that 36 states of the federation, including the FCT and 774 local government areas in the country, were covered.

Senator Anyim declared 12,643,316 as the total number of registered voters and 11,069,756 as accredited voters. The total figure of votes cast was 11,069,756.

The National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, presented the Certificate of Return to President Tinubu.

In his acceptance speech, Tinubu thanked the Presidential Election Committee for their consistency.

Tinubu congratulated Osifo for being a good sportsman. “At least, you earn your money,” he later taunted his opponent.

He promised to justify his new nomination by the party stakeholders and its ordinary faithful.

He said: “I accept, with humility and profound gratitude, the nomination of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, to stand again as its presidential candidate in the 2027 election.

“I thank the party leadership, our governors, the National Working Committee, members of the National Assembly, and loyal party members and stakeholders who have contributed to the unity and strength of this party. I also acknowledge the steadfast support and sacrifices of Nigerians across all walks of life who continue to believe in the difficult but necessary path of reform we have chosen to rebuild our nation.”

Tinubu also seized the occasion to reel out his achievements over the last three years, promising to do more to secure a prosperous nation that all Nigerians long for.

“Since that night in June 2022, a lot has changed. The political landscape has evolved. Electoral reforms have strengthened the credibility of our democratic process. Voting patterns and expectations are shifting. Our economy has undergone significant structural reform, supported by new tax laws and fiscal policies that have boosted revenue collection for the federation.”

“We promised to remove the financial barriers to higher education for our youth. Today, we have established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, with over N282 billion disbursed and over 1.5 million beneficiaries.

“We promised improved power supply and an end to estimated billing. In the past three years, we have closed the metering gap by supplying 2.5 million meters via the Presidential Metering Initiative. We have established a N4 trillion bond programme to settle verified legacy debts owed to GENCOs and GASCOs. Under our administration, power generation sometimes peaked at 6,000MW, 50 per cent higher than what we inherited. Our strategy is focused on redesigning the power sector into a bankable, investable, and capable sector that delivers power to homes and industries.

“We moved away from wasteful fuel subsidies, unstable exchange rates, and weak infrastructure. Today, we are witnessing a turnaround: the naira is strengthening, foreign reserves are rising, and our economic outlook is positive despite the inflationary disruption caused by the war in Iran and the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East. We have strengthened macroeconomic stability through improved revenue performance, financial management, and better fiscal coordination.

“We have prioritised infrastructure across transportation, power, digital connectivity, housing, and irrigation as engines for inclusive growth. We are building concrete, durable roads and superhighways along the coast and on the Sokoto–Badagry route that will last for over 100 years. We are improving our airports and seaports after decades of neglect.

“We have reformed the oil and gas sector and are attracting billions of dollars in fresh investment into a sector that was almost comatose.

“Our social investment and human capital programmes target vulnerable households, youth, women, and small businesses. In addition, we are reclaiming our national values and ethos anchored on unity and the unbroken bond of togetherness. While our founding and now revived national anthem recognises our diversity, it reminds us of the work we need to do to forge a stronger and more perfect union. ‘Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood, we stand.’

“As Nigerians, we must continue to stand together for our country against all forces that seek to divide us.”

President Tinubu, who acknowledged the serious security challenges facing the country, reaffirmed his determination to surmount them.

“I also acknowledge the security challenges still confronting parts of our beloved nation. I assure you that I take seriously the responsibility to safeguard the lives and property of every Nigerian. Our government has intensified efforts to strengthen our security architecture, support our brave armed forces and the police, and forge stronger partnerships with local communities. We have invested in intelligence, surveillance, and modern equipment, and we are addressing the root causes of insecurity. We also expect the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to allow the creation of state police as a matter of national emergency.

“We will not rest until we restore peace and stability to every corner of our country. Our resolve is unwavering, and our goal is clear: a Nigeria where every citizen can live, work, and aspire without fear. As leaders and members of this great party, we should all be proud of what we have achieved for our country since our party took over governance in 2015, and of the outstanding economic progress we have recorded in the last three years of my administration. However, the work we began is unfinished.

“In accepting this nomination, I renew my commitment to serve our nation with even greater determination.

“With another four years of disciplined focus and national cooperation, we will firmly place Nigeria on an irreversible path of economic expansion, industrialisation, energy security, infrastructure development, food sufficiency and democratic consolidation.

“Our mission remains clear: to build a Nigeria where every life and property is secure, where enterprise thrives, where workers earn with dignity, where young people find opportunity, and where farmers prosper; and where every Nigerian, regardless of background, can dream big and succeed.”

Concluding his speech, Tinubu assured the opposition that his administration would continue to tolerate dissenting views, noting that “democracy is sustained not by uniformity, but by diversity, by a shared belief in the nation and the blending of ideas.”
By Taiwo Amodu
For Advert, Event Coverage/Press Conference Invite, Story/Article Publication & Other Media Services
Contact Us On WhatsApp
Send Email To: citizennewsng@gmail.com
Visit Citizen NewsNG To Read More Latest And Interesting News Across Nigeria And The World