2023 Presidency: Asiwaju Tinubu emerge as standard flagbearer of APC

Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emerge as the presidential candidate for the All progressive Congress for the 2023 general elections.

The Chieftain of the ruling party defeated other aspirants in a landslide victory including vice president, Yemi Osinbajo in an intensed presidential primary held at the eagle square on Tuesday and wednesday in Abuja.

Asiwaju Tinubu won with a total of 1271 votes.

Tinubu defeated his closest rival, Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who polled 316 votes.

Vice president Yemi Osinbajo came third with 235 votes.

Senate President, Ahmed Lawal scored 152 votes, Kogi state governor 47 votes, Governor of Ebonyi State polled 38 votes.

Prof Ben Ayade of Cross River state got 37 votes while former Governor of Zamfara state, Ahmed Sani Yerima scored 4 votes.

Former Minister of state for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba and Former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation got one vote each.

Former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Oil magnate, Tein Jack-Rich and Ikeobasi Mokelu all scored zero votes.

Seven aspirants namely Former minster of Niger Delta Affairs, Goodwill Akpabio, Former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of Ekiti state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, Jigawa State governor, Muhammad Badaru, Senator Boroffice Ajayi and the only female presidential aspirant had stepped down for the Ahmed Tinubu.

Similarly, 41years Nicholas Felix who is said to be the youngest aspirant, stepped down for Vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

2322 delegates, 3 from each Local Government Area in Nigeria, were nominated to vote the presidential candidate and flag bearer for the All progressive Congress in the next general elections.

Of the 2,115 votes cast, 2102 votes were valid while 13 votes were declared void.

Meanwhile in a letter of congratulations by the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, he said with Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the APC was confident of victory in 2023 presidential election.

In a letter of congratulation that he personally signed, Lawan who was also an aspirant in the primary said the outcome of the election process had shown that Tinubu was the popular choice of his party.

The letter reads: “The Presidential Primary of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the 2023 General Election has come and gone.

“I am elated and proud that the Presidential primary was manifestly free and fair, and conducted within our APC Family under a most convivial atmosphere.

The success of the event again demonstrates the capacity of our great party to run its internal affairs smoothly and devoid of rancour.

“As Your Excellency is aware, I offered myself alongside your good self and other patriotic members of the party to fly its highly coveted flag in the 2023 presidential election.

“I did so in the belief that I have the knowledge base, ideas, experience and desire to provide leadership for our dear country at these most trying times.

“However, the outcome of the election process has shown that Your Excellency is the popular choice of our party for that assignment.

“I do not have an iota of doubt in the wisdom of that decision by our Party’s delegates from across the country.

“Your glittering track record of public service, foresight and grit in party building and administration, as well as the courage you continue to demonstrate in fighting for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria make you worthy of the high esteem and trust of our party members everywhere in Nigeria as exhibited at the National Convention.

“It is on this note that I heartily congratulate you on your well-deserved victory at the primary.

I have no doubt that with your credentials, experience, antecedents and political sagacity, our great party will go into the 2023 contest confident of victory.

“As a loyal party member, I remain committed to the party at all times and will always be available to work for its success.

“Once again, I congratulate Your Excellency on your well-deserved nomination as the standard bearer of our party and, insha Allah, next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”