2027: Tinubu pledges more inclusive government, vows to lead with best interests of Nigerians
By Emma Ogbuehi
President Bola Tinubu pledged on Sunday that if he is re-elected in 2027, he will “build an even more inclusive government, one that listens, learns, and leads with the best interests of all Nigerians at heart.”
He made the pledge in Abuja while delivering his acceptance speech after emerging as the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential flag bearer for the 2027 general elections.
He also vowed to consolidate the reforms his government initiated on assumption of office on May 29, 2023.
“Today, we celebrate another proud moment in our democratic journey, a history not defined by any individual, but by our collective resolve,” he said.
The president recalled how he emerged as the party’s candidate in 2022 and later became President with the support of party members and Nigerians.
“Today, I return as your incumbent President, humbled by your enduring support and encouraged by your continued confidence.”
Tinubu said the task before the party was to sustain continuity, consolidate reforms and strengthen the foundation of a modern Nigeria.
“I accept, with humility and profound gratitude, the nomination of our great party, the APC, to stand again as its presidential candidate.”
He thanked party leaders, governors, the National Working Committee, lawmakers and members for sustaining the unity and strength of the APC.
The president also appreciated Nigerians for supporting what he described as the “difficult but necessary path of reform” embarked upon by his administration.
Tinubu said the administration had implemented major structural reforms, strengthened public finances and improved revenue generation through new tax and fiscal policies.
“We promised to remove the financial barriers to higher education for our youth. Today, we have established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund,” he said.
According to him, over N282 billion had been disbursed to more than 1.5 million beneficiaries under the student loan scheme.
On power reforms, Tinubu said the administration had supplied 2.5 million electricity meters and established a N4 trillion bond programme to settle legacy debts owed to GENCOs and GASCOs.
“Under our administration, power generation sometimes peaked at 6000MW, 50 per cent higher than we had inherited.”
Tinubu said his government had also removed fuel subsidy, unified exchange rates and initiated reforms to strengthen macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.
The president said the administration had prioritised infrastructure projects in transportation, power, housing, irrigation and digital connectivity to drive inclusive growth and industrialisation.
“We are building concrete, durable roads and superhighways along the coast and on the Sokoto-Badagry route that will last for over 100 years,” he said.
Tinubu acknowledged that many Nigerians still faced economic hardship and rising living costs but assured citizens that the government remained focused on delivering lasting solutions..
He also addressed insecurity, assuring Nigerians that his administration remained committed to restoring peace and strengthening national security architecture across the country.
He urged the National Assembly to expedite constitutional amendments to allow the establishment of state police across the federation.
“We also expect the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to allow the creation of State police as a matter of national emergency,” he said.
The president said his administration would continue to pursue industrialisation, energy security, food sufficiency, infrastructure development and democratic consolidation.
“Our mission remains clear: To build a Nigeria where every life is secure, where enterprise thrives, and where young people find opportunity,” Tinubu said.
He called for national unity and urged Nigerians across political, ethnic and regional divides to work together for the country’s progress.
Tinubu polled 10,999,162 votes to emerge winner of the APC presidential ticket for the 2027 general election after defeating his sole challenger, Stanley Osifo, who scored 16,504 in the party’s nationwide direct primary election held in 8,809 wards and across the 36 states of the federation on May 23.
The results were as collated by the Senator Pius Anyim-led 2026 Presidential Primary Election Collation Centre at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
APC governors in 31 states and other top chieftains of the party, who were coordinators and collation officers in their respective states, presented the results of the direct primaries to the Anyim-led committee.
While President Tinubu dominated in all the 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), winning 100 per cent votes in most of them, Osifo scored 5,248 votes in Niger, 2,675 in Kano, 1,186 in Lagos, 1,007 in Abia, 929 in Oyo, 779 in Benue and 768 in Nasarawa.
The number of votes President Tinubu received in the APC primary election exceeds the 8,794,726 votes he received in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.
Figures from the APC Presidential Primary Collation Centre, as declared by the Chairman of the APC Presidential Primaries Committee, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, show:
• 12,643,306 registered voters
• 11,069,756 accredited voters
• 11,015,665 total votes cast
Below is a state-by-state breakdown of Tinubu’s votes:
Adamawa 644,149,
Bayelsa 227,192;
Osun 100,888;
Oyo 142,754;
Anambra 43,034;
FCT 36,103;
Kano 500,852;
Katsina 467,003;
Abia 161,005;
Kogi 197,370;
Delta 407,646;
Ebonyi 207,579;
Jigawa 206,520;
Plateau 241,720;
Kwara 310,990;
Edo 121,098;
Nasarawa 285,436;
Niger 175,487;
Borno 414,988;
Enugu 383,382;
Kebbi 292,972;
Kaduna 618,914;
Bauchi 156,541;
Ondo 181,996;
Yobe 253,804;
Rivers 280,082;
Akwa Ibom 389,197;
Benue 374,787;
Imo 582,960;
Ekiti 85,340;
Lagos 814,988;
Zamfara 321,579;
Ogun 322,485;
Sokoto 301,000;
Cross River 113,911;
Taraba 183,698;
Gombe 450,517.
Tinubu’s strongest showing came from Lagos, where he polled 814,988 votes, followed by Adamawa State with 644,149 votes, and Kaduna with 618,914.
By contrast, Osifo’s best result came from Niger State with 5,248 votes, Kano with 2,675, Bauchi with 2,650 and Abia with 1,007.
