0
Torkwase Nyiekaa
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, CFR, has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his overwhelming victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election, describing the outcome as a major triumph for grassroots democracy and participatory leadership in Nigeria.
Dogara, who served as Bauchi State Coordinator and Collation Officer during the exercise and was also a member of the APC Presidential Primary Election Committee, said the President’s resounding victory reflected the confidence millions of party members across the country have in Tinubu’s leadership and vision for Nigeria.
The former Speaker noted that the scale of Tinubu’s victory went beyond politics, insisting that it represented a strong endorsement of democratic reforms that empowered ordinary party members to directly participate in the selection process.
According to the final results released by the committee, Tinubu secured 10,999,162 votes across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, defeating his sole challenger, Stanley Osifo, who polled 15,503 votes.
Reacting to the outcome, Dogara described the result as extraordinary, historic, and thoroughly deserved, adding that the massive support received by the President demonstrated the trust and confidence Nigerians continue to place in his leadership.
“For me, this is more than just an electoral victory. It is a powerful statement by millions of APC members who came out across the country to affirm their confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Dogara said.
“Nearly eleven million Nigerians stood together to support a leader they believe has the capacity, experience, and vision to continue steering the country forward. That level of support cannot be ignored.”
Dogara also commended members of the APC Presidential Primary Election Committee for conducting what he described as a transparent, credible, and fair process.
The committee was chaired by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, and included notable political figures such as former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, and former Kogi State Governor Idris Wada.
According to Dogara, the committee was entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding the integrity of the process and ensuring that every vote counted.
“We were given a sacred mandate to conduct a process that would reflect the true wishes of party members, and I am proud that the committee discharged that responsibility faithfully,” he stated.
Dogara further praised Tinubu for embracing the direct primary system introduced under the Electoral Act 2026, which abolished delegate voting and allowed millions of party members to vote directly.
He said the President’s willingness to subject himself to such an open process, despite the advantages of incumbency, demonstrated humility, courage, and a genuine commitment to democratic principles.
“President Tinubu could have relied on the powers of incumbency, but instead he chose to stand before the people and seek their mandate directly. That decision speaks volumes about his confidence in the democratic process,” Dogara added.
“He signed the law, championed the reforms, and ultimately submitted himself to the same process. That is leadership by example.”
The former Speaker urged the President to see the overwhelming mandate as a call to greater service and responsibility, stressing that millions of Nigerians now look to him with renewed hope and expectations.
He said the outcome of the primary had placed a historic responsibility on Tinubu’s shoulders, urging him to continue working in the interest of national unity, economic growth, and democratic consolidation.
“Nearly eleven million Nigerians have entrusted him with their hopes and aspirations. That is a responsibility of historic proportions,” Dogara said.
“I believe Nigerians are proud of this democratic exercise, and history will judge all of us by how faithfully we honour the trust placed in us by the people.”
