By Marcus Ikechukwu
Bola Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State has won the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 elections.
Tinubu won with 1,271 votes out of the 2,303 accredited delegates ahead of Rotimi Amaechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who came second and third respectively with 316 and 235 votes.
Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, who is the Chairman of the Election Planning Committee, declared Tinubu the winner of the election.
Nine aspirants withdrew from the race while 14 presidential hopeful participated in the primaries.
Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu born 29 March 1952) is a Nigerian accountant and politician who has been national leader of the All Progressives Congress since the party’s formation in 2013.
He previously served as the Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 and Senator for Lagos West during the brief Third Republic. In January 2022, he decaled his intention to run for the APC nomination for President of Nigeria in the 2023 presidential election.
At the end of the primary, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi secured 47 votes. His counterpart from Cross River, Governor Ben Ayade polled 37 votes.
Chukwuemeka Uwajuiba scored one vote. The former Minister of Education didn’t show up at the convention.
Former Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu got one vote.
Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State polled 38 votes.
Pastor Tunde Bakare got zero vote. Also, former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha got zero vote.
Both Ikeobasi Mokelu and Jack-Rich Tein also got zero vote.
Senator Ahmed Rufai Sani, former Governor of Zamfara State, got four votes.
Earlier, seven presidential aspirants had stepped down for Tinubu.
The aspirants that pitched their tents with Tinubu at the convention ground include Governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa.
Others include former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Ajayi Borroffice, ex-Speaker Dimeji Bankole and Mrs. Uju Ohanenye.