- Receives Certificate of Return as APC candidate
- Scores 10.9m votes to defeat opponent with 16,503
By Chesa Chesa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday formally accepted his nomination as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general election, pledging to deepen ongoing reforms and place Nigeria on what he described as an “irreversible path” of economic growth and democratic consolidation.
Speaking after receiving his Certificate of Return from the party leadership at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, Tinubu said the next phase of his administration would focus on consolidating gains recorded in the areas of economic reform, infrastructure development, power supply, education financing, and national security.
The President, who emerged as the APC’s sole presidential candidate, said his administration had laid a strong foundation since assuming office in 2023 and argued that continuity was necessary to sustain the reforms already underway.
“Today, our task is to affirm that continuity is essential—to consolidate reform, secure progress, and strengthen the foundation of a modern Nigeria,” Tinubu declared while accepting the party’s nomination.
He thanked the APC leadership, governors, members of the National Working Committee, lawmakers, and party stakeholders for their support and commitment to the party’s unity.
Reflecting on his emergence as the APC candidate in 2022 and eventual victory at the polls, Tinubu said he was returning before party members “humbled by enduring support” and with renewed commitment to national service.
The President highlighted several achievements of his administration, including the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which he said had disbursed over N282 billion to more than 1.5 million beneficiaries.
On the power sector, Tinubu said his government had supplied 2.5 million electricity meters under the Presidential Metering Initiative and initiated a N4 trillion bond programme to settle legacy debts owed to power generation and gas companies.
He added that electricity generation had peaked at 6,000 megawatts under his administration, representing what he described as a 50 per cent increase from inherited levels.
Tinubu also defended the removal of fuel subsidy and exchange rate reforms, insisting that the policies were necessary to stabilise the economy and improve revenue generation.
According to him, the administration has recorded improvements in foreign reserves, fiscal coordination, and investor confidence, while attracting fresh investments into the oil and gas sector.
The President further pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects, including coastal superhighways and the Sokoto-Badagry road corridor, as part of efforts to drive inclusive economic growth and improve national connectivity.
Addressing security concerns, Tinubu acknowledged the persistence of insecurity in parts of the country but assured Nigerians that his administration remained committed to restoring peace and stability.
He said the government had invested in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and modern security equipment while strengthening support for the armed forces and the police.
Tinubu also called on the National Assembly to expedite constitutional amendments that would enable the creation of state police, describing it as a matter of “national emergency.”
“We will not rest until we restore peace and stability to every corner of our country,” he said.
The President appealed for national unity and urged Nigerians across political and ethnic divides to work together in advancing democracy and national development.
He also extended a hand of partnership to political opponents, saying democracy thrives through diversity of ideas and constructive engagement.
Tinubu warned against what he described as attempts to reverse the gains of the current administration, insisting that the 2027 election should serve as a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s democratic maturity rather than merely a contest for power.
“With faith in God, confidence in our people, and hope in our future, I accept this nomination with a renewed resolve to serve our people,” he said.
He concluded by pledging to build a more inclusive government that “listens, learns, and leads with the best interests of all Nigerians at heart.”
His remarks were preceded by announcement of collation of presidential primaries results from the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, which showed that Tinubu scored 10,999,162 votes to defeat his only opponent, Stanley Osifo, who scored 16,503 out of 11, 069, 756 accredited party-member voters nationwide.
The results were announced by chairman of the collation committee, Anyim Pius Anyim.
In his remarks, the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, praised the process as transparent, inclusive and a reflection of the APC’s commitment to deepening internal democracy.
He noted that the exercise marked the culmination of the party’s nationwide primaries, which began with the State House of Assembly elections, followed by the National Assembly and governorship primaries.
Yilwatda said the APC deliberately made the process open and transparent by broadcasting the exercise live on multiple television stations and online platforms.
“To ensure transparency and show the world what is happening within the APC and our government, we decided to make this programme live,” he said.
The APC chairman noted that representatives of both aspirants participated actively in the collation process and were allowed to raise concerns where necessary.
“There have been challenges to some of the results. It shows that APC is open when challenges arise and mistakes are made. Corrections were done based on the suggestions of the representatives of the two aspirants,” he stated.
He added that the exercise proceeded smoothly with mutual respect among the aspirants and party members.
Yilwatda also commended governors and other designated returning officers who supervised the exercise in their various states, describing their efforts as a sacrifice made in the interest of the party and the nation.
“May God bless your efforts and what you have done for this great party,” he said.
The APC chairman further appreciated party members and officials who participated in the process at ward, local government and state levels.
He specifically praised the committee led by former Senate President, Pius Anyim, for coordinating the exercise and ensuring a seamless transition through the various stages of the primary election.
“You have made my job very easy,” Yilwatda said as he invited Anyim to formally declare the winner of the presidential primary election.
