Tinubu secures APC presidential ticket with over 10 million votes, vows to deepen reforms

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 general election after polling 10,999,162 votes in the party’s nationwide presidential primaries.The result was announced on Sunday at the International Conference Centre in Abuja following the collation of votes from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking after receiving the party’s certificate of return and symbolic flag from APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Mr Tinubu pledged to consolidate ongoing economic reforms and strengthen the foundations of what he described as a “modern Nigeria” if re-elected for a second term.“In accepting this nomination, I renew my commitment to serve our nation with even greater determination,” the president said.

“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.”

Chairman of the APC Presidential Election Committee, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said the exercise complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines and the APC constitution.

According to him, voting took place on Saturday across 774 local government areas and 8,809 wards nationwide.Mr Anyim disclosed that out of 12,643,316 registered APC members, 11,069,746 were accredited for the exercise, while 11,015,665 votes were cast.

He added that Mr Tinubu’s only challenger, Stanley Osifo, secured 16,503 votes.The former Senate President said the process was transparent and that agents of both aspirants were allowed to challenge results where necessary.

Mr Tinubu used the occasion to defend the economic policies introduced since he assumed office in May 2023, insisting that his administration had undertaken “significant structural reforms” despite economic difficulties faced by Nigerians.The president highlighted the removal of petrol subsidy, exchange rate reforms, tax restructuring and increased revenue generation as some of the administration’s key policy interventions.

He also cited the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying over N282 billion had been disbursed to more than 1.5 million beneficiaries.On electricity reforms, the president said his administration had supplied 2.5 million meters through the Presidential Metering Initiative and introduced a N4 trillion bond programme to settle legacy debts owed to electricity generation and gas companies.

He added that power generation had at times reached 6,000 megawatts, which he described as about 50 per cent higher than inherited levels.Mr Tinubu also referenced ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway, while promising continued investment in roads, airports, seaports and digital connectivity.

Acknowledging persistent insecurity in parts of the country, the president said his government remained committed to restoring peace and stability nationwide.“We will not rest until we restore peace and stability to every corner of our country,” he said.

The APC has governed Nigeria since 2015 after defeating the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in that year’s presidential election. Mr Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election and was sworn in on 29 May 2023.