Nigeria’s president Tinubu seeks re-election after primary win

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu is set to run for re-election in January 2027, with his party expected to name him as its candidate on Sunday formally.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) will hold a ceremony in Abuja to confirm Tinubu as its choice for the upcoming presidential race. The party announced its primary victory on Saturday, calling the process a demonstration of internal democracy.

Tinubu’s only challenger was Stanley Osifo, a businessman who paid 100 million naira (approximately $73,000) for the opportunity to run against him. The APC controls 31 of Nigeria’s 36 states, up from 21 in 2023, following a wave of defections from opposition parties.

Since taking office in 2023, Tinubu has introduced several major reforms. He removed a long-standing fuel subsidy, unified the country’s multiple exchange rates, and took steps to ease pressure on the naira. The government says these measures are aimed at attracting foreign investment and boosting long-term growth.

Several opposition parties plan to hold their own primaries in the coming days to select candidates who will attempt to unseat Tinubu in January. Among them is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2015.

The presidential election is scheduled for January 2027. Tinubu, 74, first took office in May 2023 after defeating his main rivals in a closely contested vote.

SOURCE: AFP