The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has described the collation and announcement of results from the party’s presidential primary election across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory as transparent and a testament to deepening internal democracy.
Speaking on Sunday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, venue of the final collation, Mr Yilwatda commended the Sen. Pius Anyim-led APC Presidential Primary Election Collation Committee for making his job easier.
He praised the committee’s coordination, preparation and seamless execution of the exercise.
Tinubu Secures Landslide Victory
President Bola Tinubu defeated Mr Stanley Osifo, his only rival, to clinch the APC presidential ticket for the 2027 election. Tinubu polled 10.99 million votes against Osifo’s 16,504 votes in the primary held on May 23 across 8,809 wards nationwide, according to results collated by the Anyim-led committee.
The APC said 31 states and top party chieftains who served as coordinators and collation officers presented direct primary results to the committee.
While Tinubu dominated all 36 states and the FCT – winning 100 per cent of votes in most – Osifo recorded 5,248 votes in Niger, 2,675 in Kano, 1,186 in Lagos, 1,007 in Abia, 929 in Oyo, 779 in Benue and 768 in Nasarawa.
Live Broadcast to Demonstrate Transparency
“We started with the primary election from the House of Assembly, the National Assembly and governorship, and we climaxed with the presidential primary,” Mr Yilwatda said.
“We have two aspirants for this position: the sitting President, Bola Tinubu, and the second aspirant, Stanley Osifo.
“Yesterday, May 23, was the primary election. It was conducted nationwide. Accreditation took place in all wards across the country.”
The APC chairman added that the exercise was broadcast live on selected television stations to demonstrate transparency, saying the party was deepening its internal democracy.
“We decided to make this programme live on five television stations. It is also online, and I am happy that the two people representing the two aspirants are here,” he said.
Challenges Addressed Openly
Mr Yilwatda noted that challenges encountered during the exercise were addressed promptly, demonstrating that the party remained open whenever issues arose or mistakes were made.
“Corrections were made based on the suggestions of the representatives of the two aspirants,” he said.
“I am happy that this collation has gone smoothly, with mutual respect between the two aspirants, and also the respect every aspirant in the party has shown to the party.”
He thanked the governors who served as returning officers in their states, adding that the collation process had been properly organised.
“Thank you very much for the great job you have done, a sacrifice to the nation and to the party at no cost. May God bless your efforts,” he said.
Mr Yilwatda also thanked party supporters and members at all levels for backing the APC throughout the various stages of the primary elections.
