President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday officially received the presidential flag and Certificate of Return of the All Progressives Congress as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The presentation ceremony took place at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja and attracted top APC leaders, governors, lawmakers, party executives and supporters from across the country.
The APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, handed over the certificate and party flag to the President amid loud applause and celebration by party members.
Tinubu was joined on stage by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Vice President Kashim Shettima during the symbolic presentation.
The event marked a major political milestone for the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general election, as the APC formally endorsed Tinubu for a second term in office.
While presenting the certificate, Yilwatda described Tinubu’s nomination as a reflection of the confidence and support the President enjoys within the ruling party across the country.
“This certificate represents the voices of millions of APC supporters across the country,” the APC chairman said.
According to him, more than 10 million party members participated in the process that produced Tinubu as the APC flagbearer.
“Your Excellency, congratulations,” he added as he handed over the certificate to the President.
Yilwatda said the APC was confident of victory in the 2027 election, describing the certificate as a “symbol of unity” and “symbol of common prosperity.”
The President’s formal presentation came shortly after the APC announced the results of its nationwide primary election conducted across 8,809 wards in the country.
According to figures released by the party, Tinubu secured 10.99 million votes to defeat his only challenger, Stanley Osifo, who polled 16,504 votes.
The results covered all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Party officials said the wide margin of victory showed strong internal backing for Tinubu’s leadership and policies since assuming office in May 2023.
The APC leadership also described the process as peaceful and transparent.
Sunday’s ceremony was attended by APC governors, members of the National Executive Committee, National Working Committee members, senators, House of Representatives members and other influential party figures.
Many of the speakers at the event praised Tinubu’s leadership style and defended the economic reforms introduced by his administration over the past three years.
The President’s emergence as APC candidate effectively signals the beginning of preparations for what is expected to be another highly competitive presidential election in Nigeria.
Tinubu, who came to power in 2023 after defeating candidates of major opposition parties, has spent much of his first term implementing economic reforms aimed at stabilising the economy and attracting investment.
However, several of those policies have generated mixed reactions among Nigerians.
Shortly after taking office, Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy, a decision that led to a sharp rise in petrol prices across the country. His administration also floated the naira, leading to major changes in the foreign exchange market.
The policies were praised by international financial institutions and some economists who argued that they were necessary to correct long-standing economic problems.
However, many Nigerians have continued to complain about the rising cost of living, inflation, transportation costs and food prices since the reforms began.
Labour unions and opposition politicians have repeatedly criticized the government over economic hardship affecting millions of households.
Despite the criticism, the Presidency and APC leaders insist the reforms are beginning to produce positive results.
Tinubu and his supporters argue that the policies have improved government revenue, increased foreign reserves and restored investor confidence in the Nigerian economy.
During his acceptance speech after receiving the certificate, Tinubu said the reforms were necessary to place the country on a stronger economic foundation.
He also promised to continue efforts to improve infrastructure, electricity supply, agriculture, education and security if re-elected in 2027.
The President said his administration had already made progress in areas such as student loans, road construction, power sector reforms and investment in the oil and gas sector.
According to him, the work of rebuilding Nigeria is still ongoing and requires continuity.
In previous election periods, internal party crises and disagreements over zoning and candidate selection created tension within major political parties.
However, the APC leadership appears determined to present a united front around Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
Nigeria continues to face several security challenges, including terrorism in the North-East, bandit attacks in the North-West, kidnapping across many states and violent clashes in some communities.
The economy also remains under pressure due to inflation and the weakening purchasing power of many Nigerians.
Despite these concerns, APC leaders at the Abuja event expressed confidence that Tinubu would retain public support ahead of the 2027 election.
Several governors and party officials described the President as a “tested leader” capable of completing ongoing reforms and strengthening democratic governance.
For many party supporters present at the event, the presentation of the APC flag and Certificate of Return symbolized the official beginning of Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
The atmosphere at the conference centre was filled with music, party chants and celebration as supporters waved APC flags and banners bearing the President’s image.
Security was also tightened around the venue, with heavy presence of police officers, security personnel and party marshals controlling movement around the conference centre.
With the APC now formally presenting Tinubu as its candidate, attention is expected to shift to opposition parties and possible political alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
Political activities across the country are likely to intensify in the coming months as parties prepare strategies, negotiations and campaigns for what could become another defining election in Nigeria’s democratic history.