FORMER Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been declared the winner of the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tinubu’s victory at the Special Convention of the party, which lasted three days and following months of intense politicking within and amongst powerful interests and political blocs within the APC, brings to an end wild speculations of alleged plots to out-manoeuvre him.
Tinubu trashed his 13 other opponents by polling 1,271 votes with his closest rival, the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, coming a distant second with 316 votes while Vice President Yemi Osinbajo came third polling 235 votes.
Scores by the other contestants include: Senator Ahmad Lawan – 152 votes; Yahaya Bello – 47 votes; Governor David Umahi – 38 votes; Governor Ben Ayade – 37 votes; Ahmed Rufai Sanni Yerima – 4 votes; Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba – 1 vote; Christopher Onu – 1 vote; Tunde Bakare – 0 vote; Rochas Okorocha – 0 vote; Tien Jack-Rich – 0 vote and Ikeobasi Mokelu – 0 vote.
In his acceptance speech shortly after his declaration as winner of the primary by Kebbi’s Governor Atiku Bagudu who is the chairman of the Special Convention, Tinubu thanked the seven aspirants who stepped down for him during the primary.
In a modest tone, Tinubu said he did not expect that he would emerge victorious just as he stressed that he does not hold grudges against members of the APC who worked against his candidature.
Tinubu had, while declaring his aspiration for the presidency in January 2022, stated that it has always been his lifetime ambition.
