Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State, has emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress after defeating his co-aspirant at the party’s primary held at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
Tinubu contested with former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Ahmed Rufai, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Jack Rich, Governor Ben Ayade, Governor David Umahi, Senator Ahmed Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawan, Governor Yahaya Bello and Ogbonnaya Onu.
The National Leader of the APC came first with over 1,000 votes to defeat the former Minister of Transportation and the Vice President, who polled 316 votes and 235 votes respectively.
Nine aspirants, eight of whom asked their supporters to vote for Tinubu, with one who asked his supporters to vote for Osinbajo, earlier stepped down for the two leading aspirants in the South-West.
The aspirants who stepped down are Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, Robert Boroffice, Ken Nnamani, Ibikunle Amosun, Dimeji Bankole, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State Godswill Akpabio, Pastor Felix Nicholas and the only female aspirant, Uju Ken-Ohanenye.
Former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, who also picked the expression of interest forms, was absent at the convention.
Tinubu would run against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who is vying for the number position on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party on February 25.
Tinubu, who lauded other aspirants in the race, described himself as a unifier and the one which the current moment in the country called for.
Stating that the competition would strengthen the party, he said that if voted as president, he would fight terrorism and insecurity in the country.
Before the primary, Tinubu had said, “Nominate me as the party’s presidential candidate for 2023 because am competent and courageous to serve Nigeria, and deliver good governance.
“I had done this in Lagos State as governor for two terms. I humbly ask you to allow me to use these skills and experiences to advance the nation. 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 status, we are all Nigerians.”
Results collated as of the time of filing this report:
Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba – 1 voteDavid Umahi – 38 votesTunde Bakare – zero voteAhmed Rufai Sanni Yerima – 4 votesRotimi Amaechi – 316 votesYemi Osinbajo – 235 votesRochas Okorocha – zero voteYahaya Bello – 47 votesTien Jack-Rich – zero voteChristopher Onu – 1 voteIkeobasi Mokelu – zero voteBen Ayade – 37 votesAhmad Lawan – 152 votes.
