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ABUJA – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally received the All Progressives Congress (APC) Certificate of Return and party’s flag as the party’s presidential flagbearer for the 2027 election, pledging to deepen economic reforms and strengthen security nationwide.
The presentation took place at the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja on Sunday, where APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, handed over the certificate to the president amid applause from party leaders and supporters.
Yilwatda, while presenting the certificate, said it represented the mandate of party members across the country, noting that the nomination reflected broad internal support within the APC.
“This certificate represents the voices of millions of APC supporters across the country… over 10 million members are represented in this certificate of return. Your Excellency, congratulations,” he said.
He added that Tinubu’s emergence as flagbearer followed what he described as overwhelming support from party members.
“Having been returned as candidate of our party… we are sure of victory in 2027,” Yilwatda said, presenting the certificate as a “symbol of unity, symbol of common prosperity.”
President Tinubu received the certificate alongside his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Vice President Kashim Shettima, among others, who joined him on stage during the ceremony.
The event was attended by APC governors, members of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee, National Assembly members, and other party stalwarts.
2027 Poll: Tinubu Emerges APC Presidential Candidate
Earlier, President Bola Tinubu emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general election.
He did so after securing a landslide victory in the party’s presidential primary election.
Chairman and Returning Officer of the APC Presidential Primary Election Committee, former President of the Senate, Pius Anyim, who announced the results at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, noted that the exercise was conducted across the 36 states of the federation, 774 local government areas and 8,809 wards nationwide.
Senator Anyim said two aspirants contested the primary election, the incumbent President, Tinubu, and Mr. Stanley Osifo.
According to him, a total of 12,643,306 party members were registered for the exercise, while 11,069,756 voters were accredited to participate in the nationwide primary.
He further disclosed that 11,015,665 accredited members eventually cast their votes during the exercise.
Announcing the final results, the returning officer said Tinubu polled 10,999,162 votes to defeat his challenger by a wide margin, while Osifo secured 16,503 votes.
“It is therefore my duty as the Returning Officer for this primary election to declare President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, having satisfied the requirements of the APC constitution and guidelines and scored the highest number of votes, as the winner of the primary election and elected as the party’s presidential candidate,” he declared.
The announcement was greeted with loud applause and chants from party members and supporters at the venue.
Earlier, National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, commended party members and stakeholders for what he described as the peaceful, transparent and well-coordinated conduct of the primary elections across the country.
Speaking after the exercise, Yilwatda said the primaries reflected the party’s commitment to internal democracy and inclusive participation, noting that the process was widely publicised nationwide to ensure credibility and public confidence.
According to him, the party leadership worked closely with state chapters and technical committees to guarantee a transparent system that allowed members to actively participate in the electoral process.
He added that the APC ensured broad media coverage of the exercise, including live updates from representatives at various centres, to demonstrate openness and accountability in the conduct of the primaries.
The APC chairman also praised members of the electoral and transition committees for their cooperation, preparation and dedication throughout the exercise, saying their efforts contributed significantly to the smooth conduct of the process.
Yilwatda further appreciated party leaders and stakeholders across the states for maintaining unity and discipline, stressing that the successful conduct of the primaries had further strengthened confidence in the APC’s democratic structures and leadership.
Making his acceptance speech, Tinubu said he understands the dynamics of Nigeria’s economy and pledged to deepen ongoing economic reforms, strengthen national security and build a more prosperous and united nation.
In his acceptance speech after he was formally presented with the certificate of return as the presidential flag bearer, Tinubu thanked party leaders, governors, delegates and supporters across the country for what he described as their enduring confidence in his leadership.
Tinubu described the primary election as another milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey, saying the peaceful conduct of the exercise reflected the growing maturity of the nation’s democracy and the internal democratic culture within the APC.
“Today, we celebrate another proud moment in our democratic journey, a history not defined by any individual, but by our collective resolve to build a stable, prosperous and just nation,” he said.
Tinubu recalled how he emerged as the APC presidential candidate in 2022 and subsequently won the 2023 presidential election, noting that his administration had since embarked on difficult but necessary reforms aimed at repositioning the economy.
“I return as your incumbent president, humbled by your endurance, encouraged by your continued confidence and imbued with renewed passion for the task ahead,” he stated.
The president acknowledged the economic hardship being faced by many Nigerians but insisted that the reforms introduced by his administration were already yielding positive results.
“I know what it is to reform an economy that was in tatters. If you love sleep, I love sleep too. If you have lost weight, I think I have lost some too. But I remember that in 2022, I asked for this job, and you all supported me, so I must do it,” he said.
Tinubu said his administration had strengthened macroeconomic stability through improved revenue generation, fiscal coordination and structural reforms, adding that the removal of fuel subsidy and exchange rate reforms were necessary to rescue the economy from collapse.
According to him, the country’s economic outlook is improving, with rising foreign reserves and renewed investor confidence.
“The naira is strengthening, foreign reserves are rising, and our economic outlook is positive,” he declared.
The president highlighted achievements recorded by his administration in education, power, infrastructure and oil sector reforms.
He disclosed that over 1.5 million students had benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, while 2.5 million electricity meters had been supplied under the Presidential Metering Initiative to reduce estimated billing.
Tinubu also said his administration had launched a N4 trillion bond programme to settle legacy debts owed to gas and power generation companies, adding that electricity generation had improved significantly under his government.
On infrastructure, the president said the administration was constructing durable roads and superhighways, including the Sokoto-Badagry Highway project, while reforms in the oil and gas sector were attracting fresh investments.
He further said the government’s social investment programmes were targeting vulnerable households, women, youths and small businesses as part of efforts to cushion the impact of economic reforms.
Tinubu stressed the need for national unity and urged Nigerians to resist forces seeking to divide the country along ethnic or religious lines.
“As Nigerians, we must continue to stand together for our country against all forces that seek to divide us,” he said.
The president also assured Nigerians that his administration remained committed to tackling insecurity across the country, promising sustained support for the armed forces and security agencies.
“We will win the battle against banditry and terrorism. We will not rest until we restore peace and stability to every corner of our country,” he assured.
Tinubu said the task ahead required patriotism and collective effort, adding that the 2027 election should serve as a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s democratic maturity rather than merely a contest among political parties.
He extended a hand of partnership to opposition parties and Nigerians with differing political views, calling for dialogue and national cooperation in building the country.
“We do not have to agree on everything, but democracy is sustained by diversity and a shared belief in the nation,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment to inclusive governance, Tinubu pledged to build a government that listens to the people and prioritises their welfare.
“With the help of God Almighty, we shall build a more secure, united and prosperous Nigeria for generations to come,” he added.
