2023 Presidency: Tinubu Snatches Ticket To Battle Atiku As APC Ends Primary

• Buhari’s disappointment for Osinbajo, Amaechi, others

BY VICTOR BUORO – Baring any unforseen circumstances, it is now confirmed that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is the chosen one to face former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential elections.

In coasting to a landslide victory, the former Lagos State governor defeated 13 other aspirants to bag the sole presidential ticket of the ruling party.

According to the final results, Tinubu polled 1,271 votes out of a total of 2,203 accredited votes in the exercise, a development that kept his winning margin at 955 votes.

His closest rivals in the race, former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo polled 316 votes and 235 votes respectively while Senate President, Ahmad Lawan placed fourth with 152 votes.

With 13 voided votes, those on the score sheet also included Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello 47; Ebonyi Governor David Umahi – 38; Cross River Governor Ben Ayade – 37; Ahmed Rufai Sani – 4; Ogbonnaya Onu – 1; and Emeka Nwajuba – 1;

However, those with blank scores in their respective columns are Pastor Tunde Bakare – 0; Owelle Rochas Okorocha – 0; Jack Rich 0; and Ikobasi Mokelu – 0.

The total rundown of states and their accredited delegates stood as follows: Abia – 50; Adamawa – 62; Anambra – 63; Bayelsa – 24; Bauchi – 55; Benue – 64; Borno – 81; Cross River – 54; Delta – 73; Enugu – 51; Ekiti – 48; Edo – 54; and Ebonyi – 38.

Others are: FCT – 80; Gombe- 33; Imo – 81; Jigawa – 81; Lagos – 60; Plateau – 51; Katsina – 102; Kebbi – 63; Kwara – 48; Kogi – 63; Kaduna – 61; Kano – 126; and Nasarawa – 39.

The list also has Niger – 75; Ondo – 54; Ogun – 60; Oyo – 99; Osun – 90; Rivers – 69; Sokoto – 69; Taraba – 46; Yobe – 51 and Zamfara – 42.

Before voting commenced, nine aspirants had earlier stepped down, eight of whom asked their supporters to vote for Tinubu, while one asked his supporters to vote for Osinbajo.

Those who stepped down were Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, Robert Boroffice, Ken Nnamani, Ibikunle Amosun, Dimeji Bankole, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and Godswill Akpabio.

The only female aspirant in the race, Mrs Uju Ken-Ohanenye, joined the seven others in requesting that their supporters to vote for Asiwaju Tinubu.

However, the United States of America-based aspirant, Pastor Felix Nicholas, also stepped down and asked his supporters to vote for Professor Osinbajo.