President Bola Tinubu secured 277,192 votes in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary conducted across the 105 wards in the eight local government areas of Bayelsa State on Saturday.
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, who served as the Coordinator and Collation Officer for the presidential primary, announced the results at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.
Diri described the exercise as peaceful and orderly, noting that the conduct of the presidential, National Assembly and House of Assembly primaries reflected a major improvement from what he described as the party’s previously “toxic” primaries in the state.
According to him, the smooth conduct of the exercise demonstrated growing unity within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“As our party chairman already informed us, the party at the national level graciously asked me to be the returning officer and the chief collation officer.
“You have conducted yourselves so well. The exercise has been peaceful, calm, and in some areas, more of a festive mood,” he said.
The governor urged aspirants who lost during the primaries to remain committed to the party, stressing that unity would be crucial to the APC’s chances in future elections.
“To all those who contested and lost, you still have to be party men. I’m seeing a lot of them here, and that shows they are sportsmen. They belong to APC, and they are going nowhere,” Diri added.
He expressed confidence that the APC would dominate future elections in Bayelsa State, citing the party’s growing support base and the advantage of incumbency at both state and federal levels.
“If all of these people here go back to our wards, can’t we deliver? Can anybody beat us in Bayelsa State? It is a very big capital No.
“We have the human beings who know the strategies of elections. With our numerical strength and incumbency, it is game over in Bayelsa State,” he stated.
Providing a breakdown of the results, Diri said Tinubu polled 39,454 votes in Brass Local Government Area, 45,949 in Ekeremor, 22,593 in Kolokuma/Opokuma and 32,487 in Nembe.
The president also secured 24,896 votes in Ogbia, 46,283 in Sagbama, 34,692 in Southern Ijaw and 30,834 in Yenagoa.
Tinubu’s only challenger, Stanley Osifo, recorded just five votes, all from Yenagoa Local Government Area.
Earlier, while addressing party members after voting in his Sampou/Kalama Ward 6 in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Diri said the APC remained the only political party offering hope to Nigerians through President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He stated that although two aspirants contested the presidential primary, Tinubu remained the preferred choice among party members due to his experience, leadership credentials and national appeal.
The governor acknowledged that some of the administration’s economic reforms had been difficult but insisted they were necessary to reposition the country for long-term development and prosperity.
Diri also expressed confidence that Tinubu possessed the political will and democratic experience needed to drive the restructuring of Nigeria.
According to him, restructuring remains essential to addressing the country’s recurring ethnic, political and religious tensions.
He further referenced Tinubu’s role during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle and his involvement in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), describing the president as one of the few leaders qualified to champion national reforms.
The collation exercise was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Bayelsa State, Isah Ehimeakhe, and the Administrative Secretary of the commission, Mrs. Eme Akpa.
Also present were the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Daniel Iyamah, service commanders, top APC officials, lawmakers and other party stakeholders.