MATTERS ARISING: How Did APC Record More Votes in Primaries Than in 2023 General Election?
ABUJA, NIGERIA – MAY 25, 2026
The outcome of the just-concluded 2026 presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress has sparked widespread debate following the announcement that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu secured 10,999,160 votes in the exercise.
The figure significantly surpasses the 8,794,726 votes Tinubu polled to win Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, raising questions among political observers and analysts about the credibility of the numbers recorded during the party primary.
The difference of more than 2.2 million votes has attracted attention because the APC primary was strictly a members-only exercise, unlike the 2023 general election which involved over 93 million registered voters, multiple political parties and strong opposition contenders across the country.
Political analysts say the development has intensified scrutiny of the APC’s internal membership structure, the authenticity and size of its membership register, as well as the party’s mobilisation capacity ahead of the 2027 general election.
Observers have also questioned how a closed primary election could produce a turnout higher than a nationwide presidential contest conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Supporters of the ruling party, however, argue that the figures reflect increased grassroots mobilisation, expansion of the APC membership base and growing support for President Tinubu’s administration since assuming office.
Some party loyalists also maintain that the primary election benefited from a consensus-driven process and reduced voter apathy among party faithful compared to the broader national election in 2023.
Critics, on the other hand, insist that the numbers raise concerns about transparency and internal electoral accountability, particularly regarding delegate accreditation, voter verification and the integrity of the party’s membership database.
The controversy has continued to dominate political discussions across the country, with many Nigerians calling for greater clarity from the party on the methodology used in collating and announcing the votes.
The development comes as political parties begin strategic preparations ahead of the 2027 general election, expected to shape the country’s political direction in the coming years.
