From 8m Votes in 2023 to 11m in Primaries — Questions Trail Tinubu’s Re-Election Victory

President Bola Tinubu’s emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election was expected. What was not expected, however, was the sheer scale of the numbers announced after the party’s nationwide direct primary exercise.

According to the APC Primary Election Committee , Tinubu secured nearly 11 million votes, far above the 8.7 million votes that brought him to power during the tough 2023 presidential election.

Questions Over the Numbers

The figures have since triggered debate across the country, with political analysts, opposition figures, and ordinary Nigerians asking the same question: how did a party primary produce over two million more votes than a national election contested against multiple candidates?

The APC described the outcome as proof of expanding grassroots strength and improved party registration nationwide. Party loyalists pointed to the exercise conducted across 8,809 wards and over 12 million registered APC members as evidence of growing support for Tinubu’s leadership and the party’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.

However, these responses by the APC remains unconvincing.

Beyond the Figures: Public Trust Concerns

Several observers questioned the credibility of the turnout figures, especially in states where Tinubu recorded dramatic increases compared to his 2023 performance. In Imo, Enugu, Delta, and Adamawa, the numbers surged far beyond previous election results, fuelling concern about the integrity of the process.

Political analyst Jide Ojo described the primary as a “coronation” rather than a competitive contest, questioning how the party achieved near-total turnout in many areas within hours.

Similarly, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also dismissed the figures as “fabricated,” insisting they do not reflect political reality.