The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has won the party’s presidential primary.
He obtained over 1,271 votes to defeat his closest rivals, ex-minister Rotimi Amaechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
While Amaechi polled 316 votes, Osinbajo scored 235 votes.
The 14 aspirants in the race are Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mr Ahmed Rufai, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Mr Jack Rich, Governor Ben Ayade, Governor David Umahi, Tinubu, Senator Ahmed Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawan, Osinbajo, Amaechi, Governor Yahaya Bello and Mr Ogbonnaya Onu.
Nine aspirants had earlier withdrawn from the race including Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Dr Felix Nicholas, former Governor Godswill Akpabio, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Governor Muhammad Badaru, Senator Ken Nnamani and Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Selected members of the APC had gathered to choose the party’s candidate for next year’s election to replace the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
Tinubu will face 75-year-old Atiku Abubakar of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party among others in the February 25 presidential ballot.
FINAL RESULTS:
Bola Tinubu – 1,271
Rotimi Amaechi – 316
Yemi Osinbajo – 235
Ahmad Lawan – 152
Yahaya Bello – 47
Dave Umahi – 38
Ben Ayade – 37
Ahmed Rufai – 4
Christopher Onuh – 1
Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba – 1