APC Primary: Can Tinubu repeat 10.99m votes in 2027 polls? 

Tinubu Secures Presidential Primary Victory for 2027 Election

By Clifford Ndujihe, Politics Editor

ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries held yesterday, garnering a substantial 10,999,162 votes. His only opponent, Mr. Stanley Osifo, received 16,503 votes. The primary was conducted using a direct voting system, allowing participation from all registered party members.

The APC currently claims a membership of 12,643,316. Members of Tinubu’s camp expressed confidence that he could capture a significant portion of the anticipated over 100 million voters in the upcoming 2027 general election, as reported by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Analysts note that in the 2023 elections, the APC cited a membership of over 41 million but recorded only 8,794,753 votes for Tinubu, indicating that more than 80 percent of the party’s registered members did not support him.

The discrepancy in membership figures following recent defections raises questions for party officials. APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda acknowledged issues with the party’s online registration process in 2023 but stated that these have now been resolved.

A Prelude to 2027 Elections

Yilwatda characterized Tinubu’s primary victory as a “dress rehearsal” for the 2027 general elections. He expressed optimism about winning decisively on January 16, 2027, citing the strong turnout during the primaries as indicative of future success.

He dismissed criticisms regarding irregularities, asserting that viral videos alleging misconduct were either misattributed or unrelated to the APC’s activities.

“Our turnout was significant, showcasing a level of engagement no rival party could match,” he said. Yilwatda also noted that the APC has become a preferred political platform, as many individuals from various affiliations seek to join.

Results indicate substantial growth in Tinubu’s support compared to 2023, particularly in regions where he had previously underperformed. In the South-East, for instance, his votes increased from 127,605 in 2023 to 1,377,960 during the primaries. Similarly, his numbers in the South-South rose from 799,957 to 1,539,126, and in the North-East from 1,185,458 to 2,103,697.

Conversely, support from Tinubu’s home region, the South-West, dipped from 2,279,407 votes in 2023 to 1,648,451 in the primaries.

Future Challenges

To maintain momentum heading into the general elections, Tinubu faces hurdles, particularly in the North-West and South-West, which hold the highest number of voters. Additionally, he must contend with mounting opposition, including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, who is expected to ally with former Kano State Governor Musa Kwankwaso to rally northern support.

Other contenders for the 2027 elections may include prominent political figures such as Atiku Abubakar and former President Goodluck Jonathan.

As the political landscape evolves, observers wait to see how Tinubu navigates these challenges in the lead-up to the election.

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