Former Lagos Governor and National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has emerged as the flag bearer of the APC for the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria.
This followed an overwhelming performance at the Party’s presidential primary election held at the Eagle’s Square in Abuja on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tinubu, who was the clear winner of the contest that also involved the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and the Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, among other aspirants, polled 1271 votes at the primary.
Rotimi Amaechi and Yemi Osinbajo were distant runners-up, polling 316 and 235 votes respectively.
Others aspirants were: Ahmad Lawan (152), Yahaya Bello (47), Ben Ayade (37), David Umahi (38), Ahmed Sanni Yarima (4), Emeka Nwajiuba (1), Ogbonnaya Onu (1), Rochas Okorocha (0), Tunde Bakare (0), Ikeobasi Mokelu (0), Tien Jack-Rich (0). Thirteen ballot papers were returned void.
Uncertainties had risen in the build-up to the primaries, following plots to impose a candidate as the Party’s flag bearer.
After series of meetings at the State House, Abuja, the party’s national secretariat and other locations, the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, on Monday shocked the polity when he named the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, as the consensus candidate of the party.
The declaration of Adamu was, however, rebuffed by the northern governors who insisted on their earlier position that power must shift to the southern part of the country. The presidency also distanced itself from Adamu’s position.
This resulted in the country’s political scene being charged in the build-up to the primary, with an atmosphere of suspense and confusion permeating the country. Issues revolving around the ruling party’s convention dominated the discourse on both social and traditional media due to the unclear permutations.
But Tinubu shocked the Party structures and Nigerian, when before balloting got the endorsement of six aspirants, who stepped down for him.
Aspirants who stepped down for Tinubu were Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Senator Godswill Akpabio; Professor Ajayi Borroffice; Mr Dimeji Bankole; Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and Mrs Uju Ohanenye.
Tinubu, who was the first to address the delegates, before the commencement of voting, reeled out his accomplishments in politics and his plans for Nigeria.
