Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has secured a decisive victory in the ruling party’s presidential primaries, setting him on course to seek a second and final four-year term in office.
Preliminary results from the contest, held on Saturday under the banner of the All Progressives Congress, showed Tinubu winning by a wide margin against challenger Stanley Osifo. The president reportedly polled nearly 11 million votes, while Osifo, a relatively unknown figure within the party, secured about 16,500 votes.
The primary was held following a surprise internal challenge from Osifo, who briefly entered the race ahead of the vote but was unable to mount significant support against the incumbent president.
Tinubu’s victory further consolidates his position as the party’s flagbearer heading into the next general election cycle, where he will seek another term in office.
Since assuming office in 2023, Tinubu has implemented a series of sweeping economic reforms that have drawn praise from international investors. These include the removal of fuel and electricity subsidies, the abolition of foreign exchange controls, and broader tax reforms aimed at stabilising public finances and attracting investment.
However, the reforms have also come with domestic economic pressure, with critics pointing to rising living costs in the wake of subsidy removals.
Tinubu’s re-election prospects have also been shaped by developments within the opposition. A planned coalition designed to present a united front against the president reportedly collapsed earlier this month, weakening efforts to mount a consolidated challenge.
The president first came to power in a closely contested 2023 election, defeating his main rivals in a result that was later challenged in court on allegations of irregularities. Tinubu and his party maintained that the election was conducted fairly and that his victory was legitimate.
With the primary win now secured, Tinubu is expected to intensify political preparations ahead of what is likely to be a highly consequential election season in Nigeria.
