Tinubu Wins Edo APC Primary with 131,096 Votes as Rival Gets One Vote

The APC held its presidential primary simultaneously in all 36 states on Saturday. In Edo State, voting took place across 192 wards spread over 18 local government areas. Governor Monday Okpebholo, who served as the returning officer, oversaw the collation of results at the party secretariat in Ikpoba Hill, GRA. He affirmed that the exercise proceeded without incident and that he personally cast his ballot. Edo is considered a swing state in national politics, having backed both major parties in recent elections, making its primary outcome a bellwether for party strength.

- Tinubu received 131,096 votes statewide. - Osifo obtained exactly one vote, recorded in Ovia North East local government area. - In many LGAs, Osifo tallied zero votes; the highest Tinubu totals came from Oredo (9,177), Ikpoba-Okha (13,147) and Egor (10,074). - Breaking down by senatorial district, Tinubu led in Edo South with over 38,000 votes, Edo North with roughly 29,000 votes, and Edo Central with about 24,000 votes. - The governor's statement confirmed the peaceful conduct and his own participation.

Tinubu's overwhelming margin reinforces his status as the party's frontrunner ahead of the national convention. The near-unanimous support in Edo suggests strong grassroots backing within the APC, which could translate into momentum in other regions. Osifo's negligible showing raises questions about the viability of challengers in the current primary structure. Party leaders will likely interpret the result as a sign of internal cohesion, though dissent may persist among grassroots activists dissatisfied with the outcome. Opposition parties may use the lopsided vote to argue that the APC primary lacked genuine competition, potentially fueling narratives of elitism ahead of the general election.