Former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu has been proclaimed the victor of the APC Presidential primary.

Tinubu won the party’s ticket over Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, and others.

He received 1,271 votes, defeating 14 other candidates in the poll conducted at Eagles Square in Abuja on Tuesday and Wednesday.

His nearest rival, Amaechi, received 316 votes, while the Vice President received 235 votes.

Ahmed Lawan, the National Chairman’s nominated candidate, received 152 votes.

Pastor Tunde Bakare, Rochas Okorocha, and Jack Rich each received zero votes, while Ogbonnaya Onu received one. Governor Yahaya Bello received 47 votes, Ahmed Rufai received four votes, Gov. Ben Ayade received 37 votes, and Gov. David Umuahi received 38 votes.

At the All Progressives Congress’s Presidential Primary in Eagle Square, Abuja, a total of 2,260 delegates voted.

The following is a list of all of the states and their accredited delegates:

Abia – 50; Adamawa – 62; Anambra – 63; Bayelsa – 24; Bauchi – 55; Benue – 64; Borno – 81; Cross River – 54; Delta – 73; Enugu – 51; Ekiti – 48; Edo – 54; Ebonyi – 38; Federal Capital Territory – 80

Gombe has 33 members, Imo has 81, Jigawa has 81, Lagos has 60, Plateau has 51, Katsina has 102, Kebbi has 63, Kwara has 48, Kogi has 63, Kaduna has 61, Kano has 126, Nasarawa has 39, Niger has 75, Ondo has 54, Ogun has 60, Oyo has 99, Osun has 90, Rivers has 69, So

Tinubu will now face Atiku Abubakar, 75, of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, and others in the presidential election on February 25.

How it Happened

Delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) began voting Tuesday night to elect its presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 general elections, after days, weeks, and months of high-level politicking marked by horse dealing, intrigues, and deft political maneuvering.

The exercise, which lasted all night and into Wednesday morning, came after 23 contenders were cleared to run for the party’s presidential ticket.

Out of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, around ten states, including Benue, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Enugu, Niger, Bauchi, Ondo, and Osun, had cast their ballots as of Wednesday morning (6.30 a.m.).

Blueprint’s research also suggested that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former Lagos state governor, was likely to put up a strong showing and possibly emerge as the party’s nominee, given the number of contenders who stood down for him before the delegates began voting.

However, some observers feel that some of the candidates who chose to support Tinubu did not have enough delegates to make a significant difference, leaving the race between Tinubu and his closest competitor, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, open.

Controversies that arose before to the convention

Disputes regarding the selection of a consensus candidate followed the conference.

While the party’s northern governors pushed for a southern candidate, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the party’s national leader, nominated Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the party’s consensus candidate.

Those who withdrew and the likely consequences

At the start of the process, several presidential contenders mounted the podium to address the delegates before casting their votes, indicating that Tinubu would choose the party’s ticket.

While this part of the exercise was going on, a number of aspirants, including former Akwa Ibom state governor Senator Godswill Akpabio, former Ogun state governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Jigawa state Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Ekiti state Governor Kayode Fayemi, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, former Speaker House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole, and the only female aspirant in the race

As a result, if all other factors are equal, the votes of the delegates held by the contenders who stood down will be cast for the party’s national leader.

In addition, the Borgu Kingdom’s chanting of Jagaba, another moniker bestowed on Tinuu, filled the air, setting the camps of Osinbajo and other hopefuls on edge.

While Pastor Tunde Bakare and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello elected not to step down for anyone, Felix Nicholas, 40, was the only aspirant to do so for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was the last person to address the delegates.

Bola Tinubu expresses himself

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Bola Tinubu, who was the first to take the platform before the voting began at about 1.40 a.m., told the delegates that he is a serious man with a serious goal.

“The candidate you select must have the experience, leadership and qualities,” he told the delegates.”

Other aspirants are good men and women but I sincerely believe I am the person that fits that.”

Former governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who boasted of transforming Lagos state from a dangerous and unwelcoming place to a clean and safe place, claimed he is a serious guy with a serious goal.
And will put it to good use for the people.

“I cannot talk of a brighter future without declaring my intention to fight terrorism and insecurity,” the former congressman added, describing himself as a unifying leader whose institutions have delivered triumph over the years.”
I am confident, competent and ready to start from day one.”

“Here comes a time in a nation when the hopes of the moment. Let not the destiny of this land be stolen because we did not do what was meant for us to do at this critical moment. Remember, we formed this party not simply to wrest power from a wrong and failing PDP.

“We formed this party to give the people of this land the progressive good governance they deserve so that they may live well and as peacefully as any people on the face of this earth. This corrective journey began with the election of President Muhammadu Buhari. At this convention, we must take the next step toward the proper and necessary direction.

“In 2015, the All Progressives Congress won the election to halt the drift in our nation’s governance, redirect our path, and make clear our national priorities. We dedicated this party to the guiding principle that government must be for the benefit of each and every Nigerian before it is for the benefit of any single one of us. No one is above legal rule or regulation. Likewise, no one is too low for justice and compassionate governance cover or protection.

“Within this context, the APC under President Muhammadu Buhari has governed with patriotic and disciplined commitment this past seven years. The Buhari government has championed needed reforms, ranging from an innovative petroleum industry law to measures that are aimed at improving power and electricity generation for all Nigerians. Government has invested heavily in building modern airports and railway network and roads. Every Naira is better managed than in prior administrations.

“This greater fiscal probity was achieved despite the vast reduction in national revenue caused by the COVID-19 and recurrent global economic downturns. The Buhari government has done more with much less than its PDP predecessors did. The successive PDP administrations did next to nothing with the plenty they had. What they did with our nation’s abundance is no secret. But what they did not do was even a greater embarrassment.

“They left abandoned infrastructure projects all across the nation. The APC completed them. They allowed ISWAP/ Boko Haram to erect strongholds. The Buhari government has been compelled to wage great war against these threats because of the decade of neglect by the PDP.

“The PDP should have uprooted this evil when it was but a seed. The APC-led government is now left to contend with the dangerous tree it has become. Yet, as surely as I can state my name, the next APC government shall uproot this evil such that, never again, shall it try to take hold in this land,” Tinubu warned.

“The powerful already have,” he added.

“Let us give succour and an open door to the less privileged. Let us bring forth a society built on shared prosperity, belief in justice, compassion for others and an unshakable commitment to a form of governance that treats all citizens with equal respect and due regard. Let us not just open the door to the promise of a better society. Let us brick by brick and stone by stone build a new society that begets a greater nation.”

“Weighty matters now rest in the balance. A fateful decision awaits you the delegates to this convention. Choose that which most wholly benefits the nation. Think big at this moment that we may accomplish great things in the next APC administration that will come on 29 May 2023.

“My experience in office and the knowledge gained through hard work, tough trials and patient undertaking have prepared me for this hour. I am a man of purpose with a serious mission. My vow is to use all that I know and all of my abilities to the benefit of the nation and its people. I do not step forward because I think this nomination is my due. I step forward because I can help lead our nation to become what it ought to be.

“I do not say this as a boast. Hear me out. I claim not to be special nor great. My training, experiences, acquired knowledge are what is special and uniquely suited for this moment. I am merely a conduit, a servant of a cause much larger than myself.”

“Though our tribe and tongue may differ, we must build a united country, premised on equity, fairness and justice,” the party’s leader added.
“True reform and progress lie not in copying others but in identifying our own opportunities. I have done this in Lagos. I humbly ask you to allow me to use these skills and experiences to advance the nation.”

“I come to you with a coherent vision on how to improve our nation such that our schools, industry, agriculture and infrastructure will become the pride of all. Ours shall be a land where all Nigerians will have an equal chance and no one is excluded because of his ethnic background, religious creed, place of origin or social station. We are all Nigerians.

“By this statement, I seek your help and support to become our party’s nominee and standard bearer in the coming February 2023 elections. To lead Nigerians is a sacred trust, which I do not take lightly or seek selfishly. By giving me the party’s mandate, I hereby make solemn vow to make Nigeria the best home for its citizens.”

Lawan

Senate President Ahmad Lawan, for his part, told the gathering that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had created the groundwork for the country’s prosperity, and that if given the chance, he would build on that foundation.

“I am running for the office of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because this party has been built well around ideas which we all share. “I will appeal to you that you elect someone that achievements so far by this administration are consolidated

“I will appeal to you that you elect someone that achievements so far by this administration are consolidated,” the lawmaker stated.

Senator Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Convention’s Central Planning Committee, has previously stated that the ruling party would have a free and fair presidential primary.

“Our party has always proven opposition wrong and we will prove that today with free, fair and transparent election,” he declared.

Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who withstood political pressure to step down for Tinubu, also addressed the delegates, saying that as President Buhari’s Vice President, he will not be learning on the job.

He urged the delegates to make the right choice by voting him as the APC’s candidate.

Meanwhile, a presidential candidate, Emeka Nwajiuba, failed to show up for the primary in Eagles Square.

Angry aspirants reject the government’s list

Seven of the presidential hopefuls discarded the names of five presidential aspirants supposedly provided to President Buhari to select a consensus candidate as a ploy prior to the start of voting.

Five aspirants were purportedly picked and given to the president by the northern APC governors.

Three of the five aspirants recommended by the APC northern governors and the National Working Committee (NWC) are from the south-west (Tinubu, Osinbajo, and Fayemi).

Governor Dave Umahi is from the South-east, whereas Chief Rotimi Amaechi is from the South-South.

The unhappy aspirants distanced themselves from the reported list in a statement issued in the early hours of Tuesday, just after a brief meeting in Abuja.

Former Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu; former Governor Rochas Okorocha; and businessman Tein Jack-Rich are among the candidates.

“In the past few hours we have been bombarded with calls and messages from my supporters and concerned Nigerians on a list of five Presidential aspirants submitted to President Buhari to choose from,” the statement adds.

“As long as we are concerned no list has been submitted to Mr. President, the move by the Governors is considered a joke taken to the extreme with the aim of playing with the intellect of Nigerians particularly us from the South-East.

“Mr. President’s directive is very simple, that all Presidential aspirants including those from the North should meet and harmonise in order to produce a single candidate. As it stands we have not been consulted or attended a meeting where it was agreed that such names be sent to Mr. President.

“In the so-called list out of the five names only one was selected from the South-East and we are talking about fairness and justice to the South.

“What the Governors have done is a mere picnic in the park. These are the same Governors talking about equity, justice and fairness yet in a clandestine manner purportedly sidelined the South-east.

“In the absence of any harmonised agreement no list has been submitted to Mr. President, what they have done is just nothing but a charade which is bound to fail.

“In the absence of any harmonised agreement no list has been submitted to Mr. President, what they have done is just nothing but a charade which is bound to fail.

“We also have it on good authority that the majority of these Governors have been promised and also given various forms of gratifications in order to thwart the process in favour of one aspirant and such grand plot will fail woefully.

“More so, the party led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu remains the official organ of the party through which decisions taken by stakeholders in the party will be communicated and acted upon, in the absence of that any other move remains null and void.

“More so, the party led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu remains the official organ of the party through which decisions taken by stakeholders in the party will be communicated and acted upon, in the absence of that any other move remains null and void.

“We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard such information, as we remain in the race hence no consensus agreement has been reached amongst all contestants.”

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Tinubu, Governor Fayemi, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi were among the candidates shortlisted.

Alleged bribery

A top candidate reportedly doled out between $2 million and $3 million each to entice several governors, in line with the dissatisfied aspirants’ claim of money enticement.

Although some governors were believed to have declined, it was unclear what the three others who supposedly accepted the money planned to do with it.

It was also learned that security services on the trail of high-end financial moves by some presidential hopefuls are presently awaiting further instructions while continuing to watch the situation throughout the process.

Gaya to those who withdrew

Senator Kabiru Gaya (Kano South), the head of the Osinbajo campaign, also announced that three presidential aspirants had withdrawn in favor of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

He stated former Senate President Ken Nnamani and two other presidential hopefuls stepped down for Osinbajo in a live interview with Channels TV at Eagle Square, where the APC’s presidential primary poll is taking place.

“I have been informed that Ken Nnamani and two others have stepped down for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,” Gaya stated.

“I’m aware and I think this will be announced later today.”

He stated that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo were competing.

“The party has agreed to shift power to the south,” Gaya stated.

“In principle, we have President Muhammadu Buhari from the northern part of Nigeria; naturally, the power should shift to South. I believe this is what will make Nigerians believe APC is a party for all and not a sectional party.”

…Only two candidates remain in the race.

Senator Kabiru Gaya of Kano, a high-ranking member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), revealed that the party’s presidential aspirants had been cut to two.

He stated this ahead of the start of delegate voting at the APC presidential primary in Abuja, which will be held at Eagle Square.

Gaya announced the identities of the two remaining candidates in the APC presidential contest during an interview with Channels TV at the primary ground.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu are on the ticket.

During the interview, Gaya explained that the party intended to run a candidate from the southwest with a running mate from the north.

“Well, we are still at the process,” Gaya explained.

“We know during conventions like this, decisions are taken at the last minute and when done at the last minute, people accept that decision.

“Yes, we are trying to trim down. All that we know is that the candidate at the presidency should go to the south. And as it is now, it is going to the south, so that we can have a northern vice-president.

“If we don’t agree on one person, at least two or three persons will go to the poll. The party wants the aspirants contesting to be reduced to two or even one.

“The two are Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo, so it comes down to the South West. The party would not simply say they’ve dropped a candidate.

“When the process begins, the candidate will mount the podium and tell us if they are stepping down, and who they are stepping down for.”

We don’t know yet”

Bagudu

However, Abubakar Bagudu, the governor of Kebbi state, who chairs the party’s Presidential Convention Planning Committee, said the party had yet to learn whether any contestant had withdrawn.

Bagudu revealed this while receiving questions from reporters at the APC’s primary election location.

Everything was in place for the election, according to him:

“You will not know who is stepping down or has stepped down until we are about to start the election. “

“There are many people who may choose to step down at some stage of the process either on the convention ground or otherwise.

“There are many people who may choose to step down at some stage of the process either on the convention ground or otherwise.

“However, our constitution is very clear, even if it is only two people remaining in the race, there will be election.

“I do not know officially who has stepped down because I cannot rely on the media reports.

…a Jigawa delegate slumps and passes away

Isah Baba-Buji, an APC delegate from Jigawa state, slumped and died while eating breakfast in Abuja on Tuesday.

Bashir Kundu, the state party’s spokesman, confirmed the incident to media in Jigawa.

He claimed the official died while eating breakfast and ready to travel to the party convention’s location.

Baba-body Buji’s was being readied to be transported back to Jigawa state for funeral procedures, according to Kundu.

The deceased served as the vice chairman of the APC for Jigawa Southwest.

Remain together and vote for the candidate with the highest chance of winning.

Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari urged APC members to be united and avoid acrimony early Wednesday morning in Abuja, encouraging delegates at the extraordinary convention to vote for the presidential candidate with the highest chance of winning the 2023 general elections.

The President said the critical task ahead of the Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee (NWC) remains to continue to forge the unity of purpose among party members and to keep securing needed compromises in the interest of the party in his address at Eagle Square, the venue of the special convention.

Before the vote to nominate the presidential candidate, the President spoke to the delegates and asked party officials and delegates to follow due process and respect all existing laws and regulations relevant to the election of the party flag bearer.

”I commend your efforts in organising party exercises and urge you not to rest on our achievements so far. Now we have a big task ahead: the special convention for the presidential primary.

”I congratulate all the winners, our newly emerged party flag bearers, so far, for the 2023 general elections and urge you to be magnanimous in victory, particularly towards your fellow aspirants who conceded to you. I urge you at all times to abide by the Party rules and follow party reconciliation processes.

”In every competitive event, there are bound to be winners and runners-up; and as such, all the aspirants who lost or conceded at the primaries, I equally urge you to maintain the spirit of sportsmanship and to stand by our great party for the next challenges ahead.

”As we go into the presidential primary, I urge all to keep to the same spirit. We must avoid acrimony and maintain the spirit of sportsmanship. The critical task ahead of the Abdullahi Adamu-led NWC remains to continue to forge the unity of purpose among party members and to keep securing needed compromises in the interest of our great party.

”I enjoin you all to be fair to all and to create a level playing field for all the presidential aspirants in the coming crucial party exercise.

”Please, follow due process in all the party decisions, he said, adding “I call on all party members, particularly the party officials and delegates to abide by all extant laws, rules, and regulations and to consider voting for the presidential candidate with the best chances of securing victory for our great party in the coming general elections.”