APC Primaries: Tinubu Coasts to Victory, Obtains Over 50 % Votes

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, appears set for victory as the flagbearer of the APC for the 2023 presidential election having obtained over 50% votes in the ongoing primary election of his party. The winner is expected to be declared later today.
Tinubu opened an early lead over other contestants once the sorting of ballots got underway this morning and has maintained the momentum.
His name was mentioned more often as organisers of the party’s presidential primaries at Eagle Square sorted two ballot boxes.
He is trailed by Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the other candidates.
Fourteen aspirants in the race are Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mr Ahmed Rufai, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Mr Jack Rich, Gov. Ben Ayade, Gov. David Umuahi, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Sen. Ahmed Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawal, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, Gov. Yahaya Bello and Mr Ogbonnaya Onu.
Nine aspirants had earlier withdrawn from the race including Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohnenye, Dr Felix Nicholas, former Gov. Godswill Akpabio, former Gov. Ibikunle Amosun, and former Speaker Dimeji Bankole, Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, Gov. Muhammad Badaru, Sen. Ken Nnamani and Gov. Kayode Fayemi.

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Tinubu had received the endorsement of seven aspirants, who stepped down for him before voting started.
Those who stepped down for Tinubu were Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Senator Godswill Akpabio; Professor Ajayi Borroffice; Mr Dimeji Bankole; Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Jigawa Governor Abubakar Badaru and Mrs Uju Ohanenye, the only female among the aspirants.
A sombre looking Osinbajo left the Eagle Square venue of the ongoing convention shortly after the voting started, with early results showing that Tinubu might be coasting home to victory.
And although the campaign is yet to make an official statement, the spokesperson for the Osinbajo campaign, Richard Akinnola has congratulated Tinubu and urged supporters to shake off defeat.
Akinnola said in a post on his Facebook page: “Congratulations, Asiwaju Tinubu, the presumed winner of the primaries.
“In any contest, there must be a winner. However, I’m very proud of my choice of support in the person of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
“I have no iota of regret over my support for him. It was a privilege to play a pivotal role for him during the process. I would gladly do it over and over again. It’s a matter of conviction.
“And for all our supporters and other volunteers who worked assiduously, day and night on the PYO project, God bless you all. I’m so proud of all of you.

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“As l often say, God rules in the affairs of men and He has a purpose for what just happened.
Understandably, many of you are dispirited and downcast but do not let your heart be troubled. There must be a reason God allowed this. It may not be manifest to us now but later as He is all knowing.
“I’m unfazed, unbowed and proud of PYO. Our supporters, abeg, make una shake it.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, has hailed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as counting and sorting are underway.
“PYO you remain my hero for life. Congratulations to everyone who has been part of this movement. God bless you all and may we not trade our nation away as some did yesterday,” Ojodu said.