By DANJUMA AMODU
Steel Minister describes exercise as proof of party unity, says Renewed Hope Agenda reaching grassroots
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has won the All Progressives Congress presidential primary election in Kogi State, polling 197,370 votes to defeat Stanley Osifo, who polled 0 votes.
The Kogi primary was part of the nationwide APC special convention held on Saturday, 23 May 2026, to affirm the party’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the outcome, the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, commended the “overwhelming support” for the President during the peaceful exercise, describing it as a clear reflection of unity, stability and internal cohesion within the party.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji, Audu said the massive turnout of party faithful at his polling unit in Ogbonicha Ward 1, Ofu Local Government Area, demonstrates the “deep trust and confidence they have in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the leadership direction for the country.”
“The large participation across the country is a testament that the dividends of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President have reached the grassroots, as demonstrated by the unprecedented turnout of voters.”
— Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu
The Minister noted that the scale of participation nationwide shows the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda has reached the grassroots.
He assured Tinubu of an “overwhelming victory” in Kogi State at the forthcoming general elections, adding that the state “remains firmly committed to a decisive victory for President Tinubu at the polls.”
The APC is conducting presidential primaries across all 36 states and the FCT to reaffirm President Tinubu as its flag bearer for the 2027 elections. Kogi, a traditional APC stronghold in the North Central, delivered one of the highest vote tallies so far. Tinubu won the state in the 2023 general election with 59% of the vote.
