Tinubu pledges deeper economic consolidation after sweeping victory at primaries

…Gets record 10.99m votes

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to place Nigeria on an “irreversible path of economic expansion and democratic consolidation” if given another four years in office.

Tinubu made the pledge on Sunday in Abuja during his acceptance speech after winning the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and securing the return ticket.

The president defeated his only challenger, businessman and APC chieftain, Stanley Osifo, polling 10,999,162 votes against Osifo’s 16,503 votes through a direct primary poll. This record supercedes the votes of his primary election in 2022, where he clinched the APC flagbearer ticket with less than 2000 delegate votes via an indirect primary ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Senator Pius Anyim, chairman of the APC Presidential Primaries Election Committee, announced the results.

Speaking after receiving the party’s flag and certificate of return from Nentawe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman, Tinubu thanked party members for their support and renewed his commitment to national development.

Read also: Tinubu welcomes APC presidential nomination, pledges deeper economic consolidation 

“In accepting this nomination, I renew my commitment to serve our nation with even greater determination. With another four years of discipline, focus and national cooperation, we will firmly place Nigeria on an irreversible path of economic expansion, industrialisation, energy security, infrastructural development, food sovereignty and democratic consolidation,” Tinubu said.

The president acknowledged the economic hardship experienced by Nigerians since the introduction of key reforms under his administration, including the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange reforms introduced in 2023.

“You have given me the encouragement. Sometimes it is difficult, and I share the pain with you. I know what it is to reform an economy that was in tatters. If you lost sleep, I lost some too.

“If you have lost weight, I think I have lost some too. But I have always remembered one thing: in 2022, I asked for this job, you all supported me, and I got it, so I must do it,” he said.

Tinubu also highlighted several reforms implemented by his administration, including the student loan scheme, tax reforms and infrastructure projects.

According to him, more than N282 billion has been disbursed to about 1.5 million beneficiaries under the student loan programme.

He also pledged to strengthen electricity supply and create more opportunities for young Nigerians and businesses across the country ahead of the 2027 election.

The president reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to security, promising intensified efforts against banditry and other criminal activities nationwide.
Policymakers and investors have praised Tinubu’s reforms for improving fiscal stability and attracting foreign capital, but critics have argued that the measures have also triggered sharp increases in food, transport and energy prices as well as an overburdened debt profile.

Read also: Tinubu secures APC return ticket with 10.99m votes

Tinubu urged Nigerians not to become “complacent” or allow politicians without “clear alternative visions” to derail the country’s progress, noting that the forthcoming election must be “a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s democratic maturity.”

BusinessDay reports that ahead of the 2023 general election, Tinubu emerged the winner of the APC presidential primary after defeating 13 other aspirants during the party’s Special National Convention in Abuja.

Tinubu secured 1,271 votes to emerge the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 election, ahead of Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation, who polled 316 votes, and Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President, who garnered 235 votes.

Other contestants included Dave Umahi with 38 votes, Yahaya Bello with 47 votes, Ahmad Lawan with 152 votes and Ben Ayade with 37 votes.