By Segun Oye
A former governor of Lagos state, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emerged the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 elections.
Tinubu, a chieftain of the party defeated 13 other aspirants in a keenly contested presidential primary held at the Eagles Square, Abuja, from Tuesday to Wednesday.
He polled 1,271 votes to pick the sole ticket ahead of Rotimi Amaechi, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Ahmad Lawan who garnered 316, 235 and 152 respectively.
The APC chieftain defeated frontrunners like Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, former Minister of transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Governor David Umahi, Governor Yahaya Bello among others.
Prompt News Online reports that seven aspirants had prior to the commencement of voting stepped down for Tinubu, directing their delegates to vote for him.
Those who stepped down for Tinubu are: Governors Kayode Fayemi and Mohammed Badaru of Ekiti and Jigawa States respectively.
Also, former governor of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun and former governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio have also withdrawn from the race to back Tinubu.
A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and Senator Ajayi Boroffice from Ondo and the only female presidential aspirant, Barr. Uju Ken Ohanenye, also stepped down for Tinubu.
With the outcome of the APC primary, the presidential election in February 2023, now looks like a straight fight between PDP’s Atiku Abubakar and APC’s Bola Tinubu, not underrating Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
