APC Formally Unveils Tinubu as 2027 Presidential Candidate at ICC

APC Formally Unveils Tinubu as 2027 Presidential Candidate at ICC 

Abuja, Nigeria – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially unveiled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections at a grand ceremony held today, Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja . The event marks the formal presentation of the party’s Certificate of Return and official flag to the President following his landslide victory in the APC presidential primary conducted on Saturday, May 23, 2026 – the first direct primary for a presidential ticket in the party’s history.

---

President Tinubu secured an overwhelming mandate after defeating his only challenger, Edo State businessman Stanley Osifo, in the historic direct primary conducted across all 8,809 wards in Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory . The exercise, mandated by the Electoral Act 2026 signed by President Tinubu in February, allowed every registered APC member to vote directly for their preferred candidate – a departure from the delegate system used in previous elections.

Official APC Presidential Primary Results: State-by-State Breakdown

Note: Results from the remaining 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory are still being collated. Early indications show President Tinubu secured approximately 99.9% of all votes cast nationwide, with Osifo recording zero votes in over 30 states .

 

READ ALSO:

• China Coal Mine Explosion Leaves at Least 82 Dead
• Celebrity Divorce Is More Visible, Not More Common — Temi Kosoko
• Troops Kill 12 Terrorists, Foil Attack on Military Base in Borno

The APC Presidential Primary Elections Committee, chaired by former Senate President Pius Anyim, formally presented the Certificate of Return and the party’s flag to President Tinubu in a well-attended ceremony at the ICC Abuja . The event drew the who’s who of the APC, including APC governors from across the 36 states, members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) , the National Working Committee (NWC) , National Assembly lawmakers – Senators and Reps members – party stalwarts and key stakeholders, as well as members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) . Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed that the ceremony effectively serves as the official kickoff of President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign .

---

Speaking after receiving the certificate, President Tinubu thanked party members for their massive show of support and described the primary as “a demonstration of internal democracy” at its best. “This is grassroots politics where every member of the party has the right to participate. It shows that we have internal democracy and it’s peaceful and well organised,” the President said . He added, “The massive support I have received is a challenge for me to do more for the country. I do not take your trust for granted.” The President also praised state governors and party officials for ensuring proper accreditation, validation, membership registration, and electoral procedures across the nation. “I am very satisfied that Governors have done well in their various states, from the ward congresses to Local Government congresses to the delegate accreditation, validation, membership registration and the certification of the electoral process. It has been done very well, and with this, you could rate democracy at a high level,” Tinubu stated .

---

On Saturday, President Tinubu participated in the primary at his Ikoyi-Obalende Ward L2 in Lagos alongside the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu . They were received by a high-powered delegation including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State), Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi (Lagos APC Chairman), Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment), Wale Edun (former Minister of Finance), and other party leaders . The President described the exercise in Lagos as peaceful, well-organised, and a true reflection of the people’s will .

---

The adoption of the direct primary method for the presidential ticket is significant for several reasons. First, it expanded participation dramatically, as millions of registered APC members voted directly, not just a few thousand delegates. Second, transparency was enhanced, with results collated at ward, local government, and state levels before national announcement. Third, this marked a historic first for the party, as no APC presidential primary had ever used direct voting across all 8,809 wards. Fourth, the process complied fully with the Electoral Act 2026 signed by President Tinubu himself. Despite the overwhelming victory, the primary was not without minor hitches – in some states, logistical challenges delayed the start of voting, while opposition parties have questioned the credibility of results where Osifo recorded zero votes .

---

Today’s formal unveiling positions the APC as the first major political party to officially present its presidential candidate for the 2027 election cycle. The early campaign start gives the APC a head start over opposition parties still conducting primaries. The landslide victory is being framed as a show of party cohesion behind Tinubu, sending a unity signal to the electorate. However, the opposition is watching closely – the PDP and Labour Party are yet to conclude their candidate selection processes. APC governors have largely lined up behind the President, reducing the risk of internal sabotage.

Despite the smooth primary, the APC faces headwinds heading into 2027. Economic concerns – including inflation, unemployment, and the cost-of-living crisis – remain top priorities for voters. Some party members who backed Osifo may feel marginalized, creating potential internal grievances. Additionally, talks of a mega opposition coalition continue behind the scenes, which could pose a significant challenge to the APC’s re-election bid.

---

Reactions from political stakeholders have been mixed. The APC National Working Committee, in a statement, described the primary as “a landmark moment for internal democracy in Nigeria” and congratulated President Tinubu on his victory . The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), however, dismissed the exercise as a “mere charade” and “pretense of democracy” . PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba stated: “What happened yesterday was not an election but a coronation. Nigerians saw through it.” Civil society observers, including the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and Yiaga Africa , have called for the release of full ward-level results for independent verification, noting that while the process was largely peaceful, transparency gaps remain .

 

APC Formally Unveils Tinubu as 2027 Presidential Candidate at ICC