With sheer desperation to occupy the Aso Rock Presidential Villa for another four years, President Bola Tinubu and his All Progressives Congress (APC), keep perfecting plots to clinch victory at the presidential election in 2027, including a voodoo primary election at which votes were inflated and numbers manufactured to the tune of 11 million votes to deliver the ticket to the incumbent president, but pundits suspect it may be another rigging design
By Edu Abade
Politics is essentially a game of numbers. The numbers determine the winners and losers. That is why those seeking elective positions ensure that they garner higher figures than their rivals. Sometimes they go the extra mile, like votes buying, snatching of ballot boxes and rigging to get the higher numbers in their favour. And so, as the 2027 politics and electioneering campaigns gather steam, the stage is already set for what appears to be a very tough contest for all aspirants across the political parties.
During the primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), for instance, several video clips of electoral officers jumping numbers from 25 to 250 and from 800 to 2,500 among others in the counting of votes surfaced in some states across the country. Which is why those who lost out in some states including Delta (Ovie Omo-Agege and Ned Nwoko) and Lagos (Desmond Elliot), especially in the Senatorial, House of Representatives and Houses of Assembly primaries have called out the party for deceiving them with promises of automatic tickets, while others have engaged in last minute defection spree.
But a more troubling scenario is that of the APC presidential primaries in which incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged APC candidate with a whooping 11 million votes. Tinubu reportedly won impressively in the direct presidential primary held in 8,809 wards across the country.
Former Senate President and Chairman, Presidential Election Committee (PEC), Anyim Pius Anyim, declared Tinubu the APC presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He disclosed during an event at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, that Tinubu polled 10,999,162 votes, to defeat his only rival, Stanley Osifo, who scored a distant 16,503.
The results were declared in the presence of serving governors who were state coordinators and returning officers in their respective states, members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and the two presidential aspirants, Tinubu and Osifo.
Tentacle learnt that Osifo scored only one vote in Edo, his home state, and performed impressively in Kano, Niger and Lagos, seen as Tinubu’s home state. Osifo secured 1,186 votes while Tinubu polled 814,988 votes in Lagos. In Niger State, he scored 5,248 and Tinubu polled 175,487 and In Kano, Osifo scored 2,675 while Tinubu polled 500,852 votes.
Declaring the results, Anyim noted that 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 774 local government areas in the country, were covered during the direct primary process.
Anyim further revealed that of the 12,643,316 registered APC members, 11,069,756 were accredited for the exercise, but the total number of votes cast amounted to 11,069,756.
National Chairman of APC, Professor 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.
He said the primaries reflected the party’s commitment to internal democracy and inclusive participation, noting that the process was widely publicized 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.
In his acceptance speech, Tinubu commended members of the Presidential Election Committee for their consistency and congratulated Osifo for being a good sportsman, saying, “At least, you earn your money.”
In his words, “I accept, with humility and profound gratitude, the nomination of our great party, the All Progressives Congress to stand again as its presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
“I thank the party leadership, our governors, the National Working Committee, members of the National Assembly and loyal party members and stakeholders who have contributed to the unity and strength of this party. I also acknowledge the steadfast support and sacrifices of Nigerians across all walks of life who continue to believe in the difficult but necessary path of reform we have chosen to rebuild our nation.”
Tinubu also used occasion to highlight his achievements in the last three years of his administration, promising to do more to secure a prosperous nation that all Nigerians desire.
“Since June 2022, a lot has changed. The political landscape has evolved. Electoral reforms have strengthened the credibility of our democratic process. Voting patterns and expectations are shifting. Our economy has undergone significant structural reform, supported by new tax laws and fiscal policies that have boosted revenue collection for the federation.
“We promised to remove the financial barriers to higher education for our youth. Today, we have established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, with over N282 billion disbursed and over 1.5 million beneficiaries.
“We promised improved power supply and an end to estimated billing. In the past three years, we have closed the metering gap by supplying 2.5 million meters via the Presidential Metering Initiative. We have established a N4 trillion bond programme to settle verified legacy debts owed to GENCOs and GASCOs.
“Under our administration, power generation sometimes peaked at 6,000MW, 50 per cent higher than what we inherited. Our strategy is focused on redesigning the power sector into a bankable, investable, and capable sector that delivers power to homes and industries.
“We moved away from wasteful fuel subsidies, unstable exchange rates, and weak infrastructure. Today, we are witnessing a turnaround: the naira is strengthening, foreign reserves are rising, and our economic outlook is positive despite the inflationary disruption caused by the war in Iran and the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East. We have strengthened macroeconomic stability through improved revenue performance, financial management, and better fiscal coordination.
“We have prioritized infrastructure across transportation, power, digital connectivity, housing, and irrigation as engines for inclusive growth. We are building concrete, durable roads and superhighways along the coast and on the Sokoto–Badagry route that will last for over 100 years. We are improving our airports and seaports after decades of neglect.
“We have reformed the oil and gas sector and are attracting billions of dollars in fresh investment into a sector that was almost comatose.
“Our social investment and human capital programmes target vulnerable households, youth, women and small businesses. In addition, we are reclaiming our national values and ethos anchored on unity and the unbroken bond of togetherness.
“While our founding and now revived national anthem recognizes our diversity, it reminds us of the work we need to do to forge a stronger and more perfect union. ‘Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood, we stand.’ As Nigerians, we must continue to stand together for our country against all forces that seek to divide us.”
President Tinubu, who acknowledged the serious security challenges facing the country, also reaffirmed his determination to surmount them.
“I also acknowledge the security challenges still confronting parts of our beloved nation. I assure you that I take seriously the responsibility to safeguard the lives and property of every Nigerian. Our government has intensified efforts to strengthen our security architecture, support our brave armed forces and the police, and forge stronger partnerships with local communities. We have invested in intelligence, surveillance, and modern equipment, and we are addressing the root causes of insecurity. We also expect the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to allow the creation of state police as a matter of national emergency.
“We will not rest until we restore peace and stability to every corner of our country. Our resolve is unwavering, and our goal is clear: a Nigeria where every citizen can live, work, and aspire without fear. As leaders and members of this great party, we should all be proud of what we have achieved for our country since our party took over governance in 2015, and of the outstanding economic progress we have recorded in the last three years of my administration. However, the work we began is unfinished.
“In accepting this nomination, I renew my commitment to serve our nation with even greater determination. With another four years of disciplined focus and national cooperation, we will firmly place Nigeria on an irreversible path of economic expansion, industrialization, energy security, infrastructure development, food sufficiency and democratic consolidation.
“Our mission remains clear: to build a Nigeria where every life and property is secure, where enterprise thrives, where workers earn with dignity, where young people find opportunity, and where farmers prosper; and where every Nigerian, regardless of background, can dream big and succeed.”
Concluding his speech, Tinubu assured the opposition that his administration would continue to tolerate dissenting views, noting, “democracy is sustained not by uniformity, but by diversity, by a shared belief in the nation and the blending of ideas.”
On its part, the United States (US) chapter of APC has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his emergence as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, describing the outcome as a strong endorsement of his leadership and reform agenda.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Professor Tai Balofin, on Monday, May 25, 2026, the group said the President’s victory at the APC primaries reflected the confidence party members and Nigerians have in his administration and vision for the country.
According to the chapter, the “overwhelming mandate” secured by Tinubu during the primaries showed broad acceptance of his leadership style and commitment to national transformation.
The group particularly defended the administration’s economic reforms, admitting that many Nigerians were currently facing hardship but insisting that the policies were necessary to stabilize and reposition the economy for long-term growth.
Balofin said the Renewed Hope Agenda represented “a comprehensive roadmap” focused on structural reforms, fiscal discipline, improved revenue generation and investments in key sectors of the economy.
“While the journey has been challenging, the fruits of these reforms will soon become evident in the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he stated.
The APC USA chapter urged Nigerians to, “remain patient and continue supporting the Tinubu administration, stressing that meaningful reforms often require time and collective sacrifice before yielding results.”
The group also commended the leadership of the APC for what it described as credible and peaceful primaries, while calling on other aspirants, who contested the ticket to accept the outcome and channel their grievances and misgivings through internal party mechanisms.
“President Tinubu has consistently demonstrated that he is a leader who keeps his promises and puts Nigeria first. We are confident that with his re-election, the nation will witness accelerated development and lasting progress,” Balofin added.
Be that as it may, opposition politicians have expressed concerns that the figures being paraded by the ruling party may have been cooked to water the ground for manipulation and rigging in the 2027 general elections. They argue that the votes of all six presidential aspirants put together as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would not match the 11 million votes ascribed to the incumbent president.
Besides the APC, the parties that have concluded their presidential primaries and confirmed their candidates are the African Democratic Congress’ (ADC) Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Redemption Party’s (PRP) Donald Duke, Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) Adewole Adebayo, Africa Action Congress’ (AAC) Omoyele Sowore and Sandy Onor is candidate of the Nyesom Wike backed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku, who clinched the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) polled 1,846,370 votes to beat his closest rival, former Governor of Rivers State and immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who secured 504,117 votes.
The parties also expressed consternation that if President Tinubu could secure almost 11 million votes at the direct primary level, it only remains to be seen that the figures could be manipulated through rigging and might quadruple to over 45 million votes during the 2027 general elections proper.
Speaking after the ADC primary election, Atiku expressed appreciation for the privilege of leading the African Democratic Congress into the next elections as its Presidential Candidate, adding that he was truly humbled and excited by the singular honour.
“We demonstrated that while democracy is being strangled and squashed by the ruling party and its oppressive and anti-democratic government, democracy is alive and well in the ADC. In our party, members are allowed to express their views, to have ambitions and to contest for elective positions in a free, fair and transparent process.
“Our great party is a coalition built through hard work, immense sacrifices and compromises, guided by our determination to rescue our country’s democracy, which is facing its greatest threat since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
“As I speak, virtually all opposition political parties in the country have a leadership crisis engineered by the APC government, the INEC and some elements in the judiciary. And opposition figures continue to be harassed and intimidated, including those languishing in detention, such as Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who distinguished himself as a public servant, including as a Minister and two-term Governor of Kaduna State.
“He has been in detention for three months despite court orders granting him bail. He has been denied the right to celebrate two important religious holidays with his family, in addition to being denied the opportunity to be by his mother’s side as she took her last breath. All because he is a leading opposition figure! This kind of cruelty must stop.
“The government continues to harass, intimidate and coerce opposition politicians to join the APC using the security agencies as well as the agencies which were set up by a previous government to fight corruption. Under this government, once a person joins the APC, the harassment ceases and the charges against them magically disappear. This abuse of power must stop,” Atiku stressed.
However, as of the time of writing this report, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was preparing to crown former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi as its presidential flagbearer. Although the number of votes that gave him the ticket appeared hazy as of press time, some reports had put the figures at 45 million, but Obi and the party leadership discountenanced the figures, saying the true number of votes would be announced before May 30, 2026.
In a statement, the party directed that all results from cross the country must be forwarded to the national headquarters for collation and official announcement, adding, “The respective teams will collate and process all results and forward them to the national headquarters, where the national working Committee will announce the results.”
