APC Set To Declare Tinubu 2027 Presidential Candidate Today

By Ademu Idakwo,  Abuja; James Kwen, Abuja; Festus Ahon, Asaba; Babaji Usman Babaji, Gombe; Okem Green Mbah, Yenagoa; Nnamdi Mbawike, Enugu; Aza Msue, Kaduna; Godwin Enna, Katsina; Achor Abimaje, Jos; and Damilola Origbemisuyi, Akure

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to formally announce its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election in Abuja today, following the conclusion of nationwide direct primaries held across the party’s 8,809 wards.

The exercise, which witnessed massive turnout of party members across several states, saw President Bola Ahmed Tinubu record sweeping victories and endorsements as APC members trooped out in large numbers to participate in the process.

The results of the presidential primaries conducted nationwide are expected to be officially announced by the APC Presidential Primary Election Committee chaired by former Senate President, Pius Anyim.

The committee is expected to declare the winner of the contest between President Tinubu and his challenger, Stanley Osifo, after receiving results from APC governors and party leaders serving as coordinators and collation officers in their respective states.

The collation and formal declaration of the results will take place at the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Across several states monitored by LEADERSHIP Sunday, the exercise was largely peaceful, orderly and marked by huge participation from party members and supporters.

In Ondo State, the APC presidential primary election recorded early voting and peaceful conduct across centres in the 203 wards of the state.

The exercise commenced early in the morning, with party members turning out at various polling locations to participate in the election under the party’s direct primary arrangement.

In several centres visited by LEADERSHIP, particularly in Akure and other urban areas such as Ward 11, Owode Imuagun in Akure South Local Government Area, voting and accreditation processes were concluded before 10:00 a.m.

Party members across the state participated actively in the process, with no significant disruption reported in most polling centres visited.

Security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, were deployed across locations to maintain peace and ensure a hitch-free exercise.

Speaking during the exercise, a member of the House of Representatives representing Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency, Derin Adesida, who participated at Ward 11, described the exercise as well organised and transparent.

Adesida said the turnout reflected strong support for President Tinubu, noting that members came out in large numbers to demonstrate unity within the party.

“Yes, this is for Mr. President and it is an unopposed election. However, we are here and I know our numbers will still be counted as we go through the voting process. This is a primary election, and everybody is out to support Mr. President,” he said.

Ondo State Governor and Returning Officer of the APC Presidential Primary Election in the state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described the exercise as peaceful, orderly and consistent with party guidelines.

Aiyedatiwa said the direct primary format allowed broad participation of members across all wards, thereby strengthening internal democracy within the party.

He commended the conduct of members and electoral officials, noting that the process reflected discipline and organisation within the APC.

“The strength of our party lies in the active participation, commitment and collective resolve of our members. This primary election provides us with another opportunity to shape the future of our nation and further strengthen the democratic ideals that unite us,” the governor said.

Also speaking, the APC Director of Media and Publicity in Ondo State, Steve Otaloro, described the exercise as transparent, well organised and peaceful, adding that collation followed the party’s constitutional procedures up to the national level in Abuja.

According to him, results were transmitted through the local government and state collation officers in line with party procedures.

“It is also important to note that the results followed the established party procedure, with collation carried out step-by-step through the recognised hierarchy rather than being prematurely announced at ward level.

“Ultimately, the final determination of the presidential flag bearer would be concluded centrally by the national committee in Abuja, consistent with the APC constitution and internal electoral framework,” he stated.

In Plateau State, the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, declared that the massive turnout witnessed during the party’s nationwide presidential primaries was a clear indication of the ruling party’s growing grassroots acceptance and internal democratic strength.

Yilwatda made the declaration shortly after participating in the APC presidential primary election at his Dungung Ward in Kanke Local Government Area of the state.

The APC national chairman insisted that the conduct of the exercise had further deepened democratic participation within the party.

Yilwatda, who arrived at the venue alongside former Plateau State Governor and ex-Director-General of the Tinubu Campaign Council, Senator Simon Lalong, was received by the Chairman of Kanke Local Government Council, Hon. Lapchin Golime, amid a large gathering of party faithful and supporters.

Speaking with journalists after casting his vote, Yilwatda praised APC members for what he described as discipline, enthusiasm and unwavering loyalty to democratic ideals.

“You can see the massive turnout in all the places we visited. It is organic. The support for President Tinubu is organic. The support for the party is organic,” he said.

“The entire community is coming out to affirm that what we are seeing today will reflect during the general election. These thousands here are APC members alone. Imagine what the turnout will be when the larger community joins during the election proper.”

He maintained that the ruling party had successfully penetrated rural communities across the country, stressing that many Nigerians now identify with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu.

According to him, the growing popularity of the APC explains why many politicians are eager to contest on the platform of the party.

“Everybody wants to be in APC. People are rejecting other political options because APC is seen as the best vehicle to government. That is why we are confident APC will not lose the election,” he declared.

The APC chairman, however, acknowledged the existence of grievances arising from the primaries, but insisted that the party had established mechanisms for reconciliation and conflict resolution.

“In APC, we do not discard dissenting voices. We engage, reconcile and bring everybody together because our goal is not just to win with a few members but to move forward as one united family,” he stated.

In Kaduna State, members of the APC across the state affirmed President Tinubu as the party’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Governor Uba Sani, who monitored the exercise, commended party leaders, stakeholders and members for the turnout and orderly conduct witnessed during the affirmation process.

The governor described the exercise as a strong demonstration of unity, loyalty and confidence in the leadership of the APC and President Tinubu.

“Today’s overwhelming affirmation

across the 255 wards in Kaduna State is a clear reflection of the confidence our party members and the people have in the leadership of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Governor Uba Sani stated.

In Katsina State, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda expressed confidence that President Tinubu would secure a second term in office following what he described as massive grassroots support witnessed during the APC ward exercise across the state.

“What we saw today has given us confidence and renewed strength that, by the grace of Allah, President Tinubu will return for a second term in 2027,” Radda stated.

In Delta State, President Tinubu secured 407,646 votes in the APC Presidential Primary Election conducted across the 25 local government areas of the state.

The result was announced in Asaba by Delta State Governor and State

Coordinator and Returning Officer of the exercise, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

Governor Oborevwori disclosed that the APC recorded a total membership strength of 467,815 registered members in Delta State, while 407,646 members were accredited and participated in the exercise.

According to him, Tinubu polled 407,646 votes to overwhelmingly defeat his only challenger, Mr. Stanley Osifo, who scored zero votes.

Similarly, President Tinubu recorded a landslide victory in the APC presidential direct primaries in Gombe State, polling 450,517 votes to defeat Stanley Osifo, who secured no vote across the state’s 11 local government areas.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who announced the result, said Tinubu swept all the local government areas in the state.

In Bayelsa State, Tinubu polled 277,192 votes across the eight local government areas of the state to emerge victorious in the APC presidential primary election.

The result was announced at the APC Presidential Primary Election Collation Centre held at the Government House Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.

Bayelsa State Governor and State Collation and Returning Officer for the exercise, Douye Diri, described the exercise as peaceful and successful.

In Enugu State, members of the APC also trooped out in large numbers to participate in the presidential primary election, with President Tinubu emerging as the sole aspirant.

Although official results had yet to be announced as of the time of filing this report, correspondents who monitored the process in wards across the states observed that the exercise was peaceful and orderly.

With collation ongoing in Abuja ahead of today’s formal declaration, party leaders say the exercise has further strengthened internal democracy within the APC while setting the stage for the party’s preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.