President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, has emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 general elections after polling 10,999,162 votes in the party’s nationwide primary election.
His challenger, Stanley Osifo, secured 16,503 votes.
The result was announced on Sunday, during the presentation and proclamation ceremony held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, described the exercise as a defining and historic moment for the ruling party, saying the APC once again displayed “strength, internal democracy, unity, and nationwide acceptance” from the state assembly primaries to the presidential contest.
Yilwatda stated that the primary election was conducted peacefully across wards, local governments and states, while the collation process was carried out transparently from the grassroots to the national level.
The APC chairman praised governors who served as returning officers in their various states for their “commitment, diligence, and sacrifice” toward the success of the exercise.
He also commended party members nationwide for their unwavering support, dedication, and belief in the vision of the APC, while singling out former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, who chaired the Presidential Primary Election Committee, for what he called “exceptional leadership, coordination, and dedication.”
In his acceptance speech, Tinubu said he received the party’s nomination with humility and profound gratitude, describing the moment as another milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“Today, we celebrate another proud moment in our democratic journey—a history not defined by any individual, but by our collective resolve to build a stable, prosperous, and just nation,” the President said.
Tinubu reflected on his emergence as the APC candidate in 2022 and his eventual victory at the presidential election, recalling how he sat beside late former President Muhammadu Buhari at Eagle Square before securing the party’s ticket.
“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,” he stated.
The President defended the policies of his administration, pointing to reforms in education, electricity, taxation, infrastructure, oil and gas, and the economy.
He said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund had disbursed over N282 billion to more than 1.5 million beneficiaries, while the government had supplied 2.5 million electricity meters through the Presidential Metering Initiative.
Tinubu also disclosed that his administration established a N4 trillion bond programme to settle debts owed to power generation and gas companies.
“Under our administration, power generation sometimes peaked at 6000MW, 50 per cent higher than we had inherited,” he said.
On the economy, the President maintained that Nigeria was witnessing improvement after the removal of fuel subsidy and exchange rate reforms.
“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,” he declared.
Tinubu said his administration had prioritised roads, airports, seaports, irrigation, housing and digital connectivity, adding that major highways, including the Sokoto-Badagry route, were being constructed with concrete technology expected to last over a century.
Speaking on insecurity, the APC candidate admitted that security threats remained in parts of the country but assured Nigerians that his government was intensifying efforts to strengthen security operations and support security agencies.
“We also expect the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to allow the creation of State police as a matter of national emergency,” he said.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain united despite political differences and regional diversity.
“Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood, we stand,” he quoted from the national anthem, stressing that Nigerians must resist forces seeking to divide the country.
The President called on citizens to support the APC administration beyond 2027, warning against returning the country to leaders “with no clear alternative vision.”
“This next election must not merely be a contest of parties or ideas, but a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s democratic maturity,” he added.
Tinubu pledged to build “an even more inclusive government” if re-elected, promising to continue pursuing economic expansion, industrialisation, food sufficiency, energy security and democratic consolidation.
He concluded by thanking party members for entrusting him with the APC presidential ticket for the January 2027 election.