Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has won the party’s presidential primary.
He defeated his closest challengers, former minister Rotimi Amaechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, with over 1,271 votes.
Amaechi received 316 votes, while Osinbajo received 235 votes.
Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mr Ahmed Rufai, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Mr Jack Rich, Governor Ben Ayade, Governor David Umahi, Senator Ahmed Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawan, Osinbajo, Amaechi, Governor Yahaya Bello, and Mr Ogbonnaya Onu were among the thirteen other candidates.
Nine aspirants had already stepped down, with eight urging supporters to vote for Tinubu and one urging fans to vote for Osinbajo.
Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, Robert Boroffice, Ken Nnamani, Ibikunle Amosun, Dimeji Bankole, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, and Godswill Akpabio are among those that resigned before the election.
They encouraged their supporters to vote for Tinubu, as did the only female candidate, Mrs. Uju Ken-Ohanenye.
Pastor Felix Nicholas, a candidate from the United States of America, resigned as well, urging his supporters to vote for Osinbajo.
At the convention, a candidate, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, the immediate previous Minister of State for Education, was conspicuously absent.
In Nigeria’s presidential election on February 25, Tinubu will face Atiku Abubakar, 75, of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, as well as other candidates.
Buhari, who is stepping down after serving the maximum two terms permitted by the constitution, spent the days before the convention negotiating with APC officials to find common ground on a nominee.
Tinubu’s remarks to delegates
If elected president in 2023, Tinubu has promised to confront terrorism and instability in the country.
Tinubu praised the other 23 candidates in the race for running a “good” campaign, stating that the rivalry would make the APC stronger in the end.
He portrayed himself as a unifier, which is exactly what the country needs right now.
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