Tinubu takes early lead as Osifo falters

…Governors rally support for President ahead of 2027 poll

President Bola Tinubu has taken an early lead in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries as his lone challenger, Stanley Osifo, struggled to gain traction in several states where results have started emerging.

Across parts of the country on Saturday, APC governors and party leaders mobilised support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, describing the exercise as a demonstration of party unity and democratic commitment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In Adamawa State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri visited polling centres in Jimeta and Yola, where party members turned out in large numbers to participate in the primaries.

At Bako Primary School in Yola South, the governor interacted with voters, party officials and security personnel overseeing the exercise.
Fintiri thanked residents for sustaining their support for the APC despite prevailing economic challenges, saying the turnout reflected confidence in the party’s leadership at both state and national levels.

Read also: 2027: Nigerians in diaspora applaud APC primaries, hail Tinubu’s economic reforms

He urged supporters to remain hopeful, insisting that continuity in leadership would consolidate ongoing development projects in Adamawa State.

According to him, the government had recorded progress in road construction, healthcare, education and youth empowerment.

The governor also endorsed the APC governorship candidate in the state, Tijjani Ahmed Galadima, describing him as an experienced politician capable of addressing the needs of the people.

Similarly, Katsina State governor, Dikko Umaru Radda declared the state chapter’s “unalloyed support” for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Speaking with journalists after casting his vote in Radda town on Saturday, the governor described the primary as evidence of democratic growth and internal cohesion within the ruling party.

“We are here to exercise our rights as APC members. Every APC member is expected to participate in this process to ensure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as our candidate for the 2027 general elections,” he said.

“This is a testimony to democratic development in our country. We are here with a large number of supporters, all backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to secure the party’s ticket,” he added.

Former Katsina governor, Ibrahim Shema also urged winners of the APC primaries to reconcile with unsuccessful aspirants to strengthen party unity ahead of the general elections.

Speaking after voting in Shema Ward, Dutsinma Local Government Area, Shema said disagreements were normal in politics but reconciliation remained essential for party stability.

“To all those who won primary elections, they must reach out to those who lost, work with them, accommodate them and encourage them to support the party,” he said.

President Tinubu also recorded a landslide victory at the APC presidential primary in Ward L2, Ikoyi II, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, where the agent of his sole challenger failed to appear.

The exercise was held at Ireti Primary School, Mekunwen Street, Ikoyi, with Tinubu arriving at about 11:34am to cheers from party members and supporters before participating in accreditation and voting.

Accreditation reportedly commenced at 10:45am and ended at 11:15am.

Addressing party members after voting, Tinubu commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and called for unity within the APC ahead of 2027.

“Reports reaching me from across the party chapters show that the exercise is going on smoothly,” the President said.

The ward electoral officer, Mrs Martha Adukwu, said Tinubu contested against Chief Stanley Osifo but noted that while Tinubu’s representative was present, no agent appeared for Osifo.

According to her, out of 5,163 registered APC members in the ward, Tinubu secured 4,996 votes, while Osifo polled zero.

She subsequently declared Tinubu winner of the ward primary.
Earlier, Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi commended members for the orderly conduct of the exercise and urged them to maintain peace.

“You are here to exercise your franchise to elect the candidate of your choice for the 2027 presidential election,” he said.

“We must conduct ourselves in a manner that shows Nigerians that APC remains the best organised political party in the country, ” he added.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, member of the local organising committee and other party officials attended the exercise.

Tinubu wins in Kwara

President Tinubu also emerged victorious in the APC presidential primary in Kwara State, defeating Osifo by a wide margin.

Announcing the result at the state collation centre in Ilorin, Kwara State Governor and chief returning officer, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, said Tinubu polled 310,990 votes, while Osifo recorded zero votes.
According to him, the state had 457,374 registered APC members, out of which 310,990 were accredited and voted during the exercise.

“His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, having satisfied the requirements of the APC guidelines and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared winner,” Abdulrazaq stated.