Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has overwhelmingly won the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary, securing the party’s nomination for a second and final four-year term.
Tinubu defeated little-known challenger Stanley Osifo in the primary held on Saturday, May 24. Results released on Sunday showed Tinubu receiving nearly 11 million votes compared to Osifo’s 16,500.
The victory paves the way for Tinubu to seek re-election in 2027. His chances were further strengthened after a planned opposition alliance to field a single candidate against him collapsed earlier this month.
Tinubu’s vs Reforms
Bola Tinubu, a veteran politician and former governor of Lagos State, has long been one of Nigeria’s most influential political figures. He played a key role in the formation of the APC and was instrumental in the party’s rise to power.
Known for his strong political network and economic reformist stance, Tinubu won the presidency in 2023 after defeating his main rivals. The opposition challenged the result in court, alleging irregularities, but the courts upheld his victory.
Since taking office in May 2023, Tinubu has pursued some of Nigeria’s boldest economic reforms in decades.
These include the abrupt removal of long-standing fuel and electricity subsidies, the unification of exchange rates by ending multiple foreign exchange windows, and a comprehensive overhaul of the tax code. The reforms have been praised by foreign investors and international financial institutions for improving fiscal transparency and attracting capital.
However, they have also triggered significant economic hardship for many Nigerians, including sharp inflation and rising living costs.
Despite these challenges, Tinubu’s strong performance in the APC primary signals continued support within his party for his leadership and reform agenda as he seeks a second term.
