President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received fresh backing from within the ruling All Progressives Congress after Ondo North senatorial aspirant Chief Alexander Oluremi Ajipe congratulated him on emerging as the party’s candidate for the next general election.

In a statement released on Saturday, Ajipe described Tinubu’s emergence as a “resounding vote of confidence” by party members and said it reflected growing support for the president’s leadership and policy direction.

The endorsement comes as political stakeholders across Nigeria begin early mobilisation ahead of the next election cycle, with parties seeking to consolidate support at the grassroots level.

Ajipe backs Tinubu’s leadership agenda

Chief Alexander Oluremi Ajipe, an APC senatorial aspirant for Ondo North, said Tinubu’s leadership had inspired hope among Nigerians across different regions of the country.

He praised the president’s “track record of service, clear policy direction, and commitment to national development”.

“As you prepare for the general election, I pledge the full support of my grassroots followers and political associates to the collective effort of defending the gains of our party and advancing the agenda of inclusive growth, security, and prosperity for all,” Ajipe said.

The APC chieftain also expressed confidence that the party would secure another electoral victory under Tinubu’s leadership.

According to him, unity within the party remains critical to maintaining political stability and strengthening public confidence in the APC ahead of future elections.

Why it matters

Tinubu’s endorsement by party figures in Ondo State highlights ongoing efforts within the APC to strengthen internal cohesion and consolidate regional support bases.

Political analysts say endorsements from influential grassroots actors can play a major role in voter mobilisation, especially in politically strategic regions such as the South-West.

Ondo State has traditionally remained an important battleground in national elections, with parties investing heavily in local political alliances and community outreach.

The statement also reflects the APC’s attempt to project unity at a time when Nigerians continue to debate issues including economic reforms, inflation, security challenges, and governance performance.

Call for peaceful participation

Ajipe urged APC stakeholders in Ondo State, particularly within Ondo North Senatorial District, to support the party’s candidate and ensure peaceful political engagement.

He called for collaboration among party loyalists to help deliver what he described as a credible election process.

Political observers say such appeals may become increasingly common as campaigns intensify and parties seek to avoid internal divisions that could weaken their electoral chances.

Industry and public perspective

Some political commentators believe endorsements from regional leaders remain significant in shaping public perception and party loyalty, particularly in states where local political structures strongly influence voter behaviour.

Others argue that beyond endorsements, Nigerians will closely scrutinise policy delivery, economic performance, and security outcomes ahead of future elections.

Public sentiment surrounding the economy, cost of living, and employment opportunities is expected to remain central to political conversations nationwide.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has secured a landslide victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary in Ondo State, polling 181,966 votes across all 18 local government areas of the state.

The result, announced on Saturday in Akure by Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, further strengthens the president’s grip on the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general election.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, who served as the collation and returning officer for the exercise, said 193,334 party members were registered for the primary, while 181,996 members were accredited and voted.

The governor declared that the outcome showed “total alignment” between Ondo State and the APC-led federal government.

“Ondo State is now fully aligned with the APC, and we are targeting one million votes for President Tinubu in the next presidential election,” Aiyedatiwa said.

Tinubu Sweeps All Local Government Areas

According to the official results, President Tinubu won in every local government area of the state.

He secured:

15,864 votes in Akure South

15,320 votes in Ilaje

14,333 votes in Ondo West

13,313 votes in Owo

12,257 votes in Odigbo

Other local governments also recorded strong support for the president, including Akoko North-East, Akoko North-West, Okitipupa, Irele, Idanre and Ese Odo.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said APC aspirant Mr Stanley Osifo failed to secure a single vote during the exercise.

The governor described the primary as one of the most peaceful and successful political exercises ever conducted in the state.

Why the Result Matters

The overwhelming result is likely to reinforce President Tinubu’s influence within the ruling APC as political alignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election begin to take shape.

Political observers say the scale of support in Ondo State could also strengthen the president’s negotiating power within the party and signal growing consolidation among APC governors and stakeholders.

The result comes amid efforts by the APC leadership to project unity following internal contests during legislative and governorship primaries in several states.

Analysts say the strong turnout in Ondo may also reflect the importance of grassroots mobilisation within Nigeria’s major political parties ahead of national elections.

APC Leaders Praise Peaceful Exercise

Ondo State APC Chairman Babatunde Kolawole described the primary as credible and violence-free.

He commended party leaders and members for maintaining order throughout the process.

“Today may not be your time but certainly tomorrow will be great,” Kolawole told aspirants who did not secure party tickets.

Former Ondo State governor Olusegun Mimiko also praised Governor Aiyedatiwa and other governors backing the president.

Mimiko argued that national reforms and governance challenges could not be effectively addressed without strong collaboration between state governors and the presidency.

“The support being enjoyed by the president from governors across the country amounts to an elite consensus that would produce positive outcomes for Nigeria,” he said.

He also thanked the president for appointing three substantive ministers from Ondo State into the federal cabinet.

Industry and Public Perspectives

Political analysts say the APC’s ability to organise a peaceful primary in Ondo State may help improve public confidence in internal party democracy, particularly after criticism surrounding candidate selection processes in previous election cycles.

However, opposition parties are expected to challenge the APC’s dominance in the state as preparations intensify for the 2027 election season.

Some civil society groups have also continued to call for broader voter participation beyond party structures, arguing that Nigeria’s democratic strength ultimately depends on transparent and competitive general elections.

Key Figures Present at the Event

Several senior APC figures attended the primary collation event in Akure, including:

Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami

Speaker Olamide Oladiji

House of Representatives member Abiola Makinde

APC chieftains Olusola Oke and Jamiu Ekungba

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia Sola Iji

What Happens Next?

With the Ondo APC primary concluded, attention is expected to shift toward coalition-building, campaign structures and national political strategies ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Political parties across Nigeria are also expected to intensify grassroots mobilisation as early alignments and endorsements continue to emerge.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Chief Alexander Oluremi Ajipe, has appealed to party members across Ondo North Senatorial District to participate peacefully in Saturday’s APC presidential primary.

In a statement addressed to party supporters in Owo, Ose, Akoko Southeast, Akoko Southwest, Akoko Northwest and Akoko Northeast, the APC senatorial aspirant urged registered members to “troop out in large numbers” for the exercise.

The primary, held on Saturday 23 May 2026, is expected to shape the party’s political direction ahead of future national elections.

Why It Matters

The APC presidential primary remains one of the most closely watched political processes in Nigeria, as it determines who will emerge as the party’s flagbearer.

Political analysts say turnout and internal unity within the party could influence APC’s strength in key states such as Ondo State, where grassroots mobilisation continues to play a major role in electoral outcomes.

Ajipe linked the latest mobilisation effort to recent support shown by party members in Ondo North.

“You showed your strength and unity by coming out massively to vote for me on the 18th of this month,” he said.

“I now ask that same commitment and enthusiasm as we rally behind Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in today’s primary.”

Calls for Peaceful Conduct

The APC aspirant also appealed for calm and discipline during the exercise, urging supporters to follow party guidelines and avoid violence.

“Please conduct yourselves peacefully, responsibly and in strict obedience to our party rules and guidelines,” Ajipe stated.

“Let us again demonstrate the discipline, unity and political maturity that define APC in Ondo North.”

Security agencies across Nigeria have repeatedly stressed the need for peaceful political participation during party primaries and elections, amid concerns over electoral tensions in some regions.

Industry and Public Perspectives

Political observers say endorsements and mobilisation campaigns by local party figures remain influential in determining participation levels during party primaries.

What’s Next?

Results from the APC presidential primary are expected to influence political alliances and campaign structures within the party in the coming months.

Analysts say attention will now shift toward how party leaders consolidate support across regions after the primary process concludes.