By Choma Vivian James
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general election after securing an overwhelming victory in the party’s presidential primary held in Abuja.
According to the official results announced at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, Tinubu polled 10,999,162 votes to defeat challenger Stanley Osifo, who garnered 16,503 votes.
The landslide victory formally positions the incumbent president as the APC’s flagbearer for the January 2027 presidential election, setting the stage for what is expected to be another defining political contest in Nigeria’s democratic history.
In an acceptance speech delivered shortly after his nomination, Tinubu described the moment as “another proud milestone” in Nigeria’s democratic journey and pledged to consolidate the economic and structural reforms initiated during his first term in office.
The president reflected on his emergence as the APC candidate in 2022 and his subsequent victory in the 2023 presidential election, expressing gratitude to party leaders, governors, lawmakers, stakeholders, and Nigerians for their continued support.
“Today, I return as your incumbent President — humbled by your enduring support, encouraged by your continued confidence, and imbued with renewed passion for the tasks ahead,” Tinubu declared.
He framed the 2027 election as a choice between continuity and reversal, insisting that the reforms embarked upon by his administration require more time to yield lasting national transformation.
According to Tinubu, his government has made significant progress in stabilising the economy, reforming the power sector, improving infrastructure, and expanding access to education financing.
Highlighting achievements under his administration, the president said over N282 billion had been disbursed through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to more than 1.5 million beneficiaries. He also pointed to efforts to close Nigeria’s metering gap with the distribution of 2.5 million electricity meters under the Presidential Metering Initiative.
Tinubu further stated that his administration had moved away from “wasteful fuel subsidies” and unstable exchange rate policies, claiming that Nigeria is now witnessing improvements in foreign reserves, revenue generation, and macroeconomic stability despite global economic disruptions.
On infrastructure, the president said his government is constructing durable highways, upgrading ports and airports, and attracting fresh investment into the oil and gas sector after years of decline.
Addressing national security concerns, Tinubu acknowledged that insecurity remains a major challenge in parts of the country but assured Nigerians that his administration is intensifying efforts to strengthen security operations, intelligence gathering, and community partnerships.
He also renewed his support for the creation of state police, urging the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to address the nation’s growing security demands.
“We will not rest until we restore peace and stability to every corner of our country,” the president affirmed.
Tinubu used the occasion to appeal for national unity and democratic maturity, urging Nigerians across ethnic, religious, and political divides to work together in building a stronger nation.
“To those who may disagree with us politically, we extend a hand of partnership in nation-building,” he said. “Democracy is sustained not by uniformity, but by diversity and the blending of ideas.”
The president pledged that, if re-elected, his administration would focus on economic expansion, industrialisation, energy security, food sufficiency, infrastructure development, and inclusive governance.
Sunday’s primary victory further cements Tinubu’s dominance within the ruling APC and signals the beginning of what is expected to be an intense campaign season ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political observers believe the election will test public perception of the administration’s sweeping economic reforms, many of which have sparked both praise and criticism across the country.
For the APC, however, the party’s message was unmistakable on Sunday: continuity, consolidation, and confidence in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
