President Bola Tinubu has described the conduct of the 2026 All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries nationwide as a strong demonstration of internal democracy within the ruling party.
Tinubu stated this yesterday after he participated in the APC Presidential Primaries at Ikoyi-Obalende Ward L2 in Lagos, noting that the exercise has further deepened the democratic process.
The President, who arrived at the venue alongside his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, was received by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide SanwoOlu; Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Conerlius Ojelabi; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and former Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, among other party leaders.
According to a release by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the President commended party members for their orderly conduct, enthusiasm, and commitment to democratic values.
“This is a demonstration of internal democracy and it has been going on very well according to plan. This is grassroots politics where every member of the party has the right to participate. “It shows that we have internal democracy and it’s peaceful and well organised.”
On the conduct of the primaries across the states, the President said: “I am very satisfied that Governors have done well in their various states, from the ward congresses to Local Government congresses to the delegate accreditation, validation, membership registration and the certification of the electoral process.
It has been done very well, and with this, you could rate democracy at a high level.” He reiterated that APC remained committed to transparent and inclusive democratic processes that give party members at the grassroots the opportunity to freely choose their leaders and representatives, emphasizing that their involvement remained the foundation for sustainable democratic development.
Tinubu also praised electoral officials, party leaders, and security agencies for ensuring the exercise was conducted peacefully and credibly, and urged Nigerians to continue supporting democratic institutions and national unity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to democratic ideals, good governance, and policies to improve the welfare of Nigerians while strengthening political stability nationwide.
Tinubu, who arrived at the venue at about 11.34 am, was received by party leaders and supporters before joining the queue to be counted. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accreditation, which commenced at 10.45 a.m., ended at 11.15 a.m.
The President noted that the reports reaching him nationwide showed that the primaries were peaceful. “Reports reaching me from across the party chapters show that the exercise is going on smoothly,” Tinubu said.
Earlier, the Electoral Officer, Mrs Martha Adukwu, commended party members for the peaceful conduct of the exercise, describing the process as orderly and transparent.
Adukwu said two aspirants, President Bola Tinubu and Chief Stanley Osifo, contested for the party’s presidential ticket . The electoral officer, who called for the agents of the two aspirants, said that only agent of President Tinubu was available at the ward.
According to her, a total of 5,163 party members registered in the ward and Tinubu secured 4,996 votes to emerge winner of the exercise, while Osifo scored zero vote. Announcing the results, Adukwu, declared Tinubu the winner of the primary election in the ward.
