The All progressive congress presidential primary election turned out victorious as members and supporters of Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as the party’s presidential flag bearer.
The pronouncement of Ahmed’s victory brought a resounding joy to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC having contested with 14 aspirants in the nation’s capital Abuja.
The 2022 special convention for the All Progressive Congress presidential primary was with a hike in tension as different aspirants of the party display their manifesto for the 2023 general elections.
Although seven aspirants stepped down and pledged their unalloyed support to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a candidate gave his struggle to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, thus considering Tinubu as the rightful candidate for the party.
This decision followed a concrete agreement made by the northern governor’s forum over shifting the mantle of leadership to the south despite some misconception by some sections of the amalgamation of the northern community debunking the action.
Tinibu secured 1,271 votes out of the total number of accredited delegates at 2,322 and with total votes cast of 2,102, thus defeating his closest rival Rotimi Amechi with 316 votes, followed by Yemi Osinbajo, with 235 votes, and 13 invalids respectively.
At the event, President Muhammadu Buhari appeal to members of the party to remain united and avoid acrimony, noting that the only criteria that will address the nation’s menace are having the best and most qualified presidential candidate, hence all hands must be on deck to attain victory come 2023.
“The flag bearer must be a knowledgeable, fair-minded nationalist with a very strong belief in the unity of the country and strength of character and purpose to steer the country forward.
My fellow party members and compatriots, I commend you for your various roles and contributions to the successful conduct of the various APC primaries across the nation. I commend the party stakeholders, officials, organs, and the Abdullahi Adamu-led NWC.
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”
Speaking during his acceptance speech, the former senator and former governor of Lagos state Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commended the delegates for believing in his vision of tackling all the challenges faced in the country.
He, therefore, called on all to ensure collaboration and dedication so as to make Nigeria great as well as to keep the party’s flag flying.
“I must thank you all for making me the standard-bearer of our progressive party. And I humbly accept the nomination of this convention to be the presidential candidate of our enlightened, humanitarian and great party, the All Progressives Congress.
I commend my fellow aspirants. It is a difficult thing to run for president. The stiff and bold competition you offered made our party stronger and made me better. I must say a special word of thanks to the seven aspirants [Alhaji Badaru Abubakar; Sen.; Ibikunle Amosun; Sen. Ajayi Borrofice; Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole; Sen. Godswill Akpabio; Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Barr.(Mrs.) Uju Kennedy] who chose to step down their personal ambitions for the good of the party and the unity of our purpose.
The competition is now over. 
Those who did not support me, you have nothing to fear. I hold no grudges or grievances.
Let us each agree to join hands in defeating the PDP and beating back our common foes of poverty, terror, and violence. We now have a date with destiny in February 2023. Let us win so Nigeria can become the nation it is intended to be.
To my campaign team and close advisors. Your dedication, long hours, and sound advice have brought me to this point.”
Earlier at the election ground, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who was also an aspirant appealed to the delegates to vote wisely in order to boost the citizen’s confidence.
The contestants are Rotimi Amaechi 316 votes, Yemi Osinbajo 235 votes, Ahmed Lawan 152 votes, Yahaya Bello 47 votes, David Umahi 38 votes, Ben Ayade 37 votes, Ahmed Sani 4 votes, Ogbonnaya Onu 1 votes, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba- 1 vote, Tunde Bakari, Nil, Rochas Okorocha, Nil, Ikeoabsi Mokelu, Nil, and Ahmad Tunibu, 1,271 votes respectively.
