Jane Salihu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 general election after polling over 19 million votes in the party’s nationwide direct primary.
Tinubu defeated his challenger, Stanley Osifo, in the exercise conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with party leaders describing the process as peaceful and transparent.
Chairman of the APC Presidential Primary Election Committee, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, announced the result on Sunday in Abuja.
Accepting the nomination at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Tinubu defended his administration’s economic reforms and renewed calls for the creation of state police to tackle insecurity.
“Today, I return as your incumbent President, humbled by your enduring support and encouraged by your continued confidence,” Tinubu said.
The President said ongoing reforms in the economy, power, education and infrastructure sectors were beginning to yield results despite prevailing economic challenges.
He disclosed that over N282 billion had been disbursed through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to more than 1.5 million beneficiaries, while 2.5 million electricity meters had been supplied under the Presidential Metering Initiative.
Tinubu also said power generation had at times reached 6,000 megawatts, which he described as a 50 per cent increase from what his administration inherited.
On security, the President urged the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to allow state police, describing it as critical to addressing insecurity nationwide.
“We will not rest until we restore peace and stability to every corner of our country,” he stated.
Tinubu also appealed for national unity and urged Nigerians not to allow politicians “with no clear alternative vision” to reverse the country’s progress.
The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, said the turnout during the primary reflected the growing acceptance of the party across the country.
Party leaders, governors and members of the National Working Committee attended the event.
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