Former Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu on Wednesday easily won Nigeria's ruling APC as its candidate for the 2023 presidential election to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.
The 70-year-old Tinubu, known as the "Godfather of Lagos" for his political clout, reportedly won 1,271 votes out of the 2,300 party delegates who took part in the ballot, according to results announced live on local television.
Tinubu says his credentials as Lagos state governor between 1999 and 2007, during which time Nigeria's largest city swelled with foreign investment that boosted its economy will enable him to help Nigeria unify and prosper.
Ahead of the APC convention and primary, Tinubu told Nigerians that he was significantly responsible for Muhammadu Buhari's success in winning the presidency for two terms. Buhari is constitutionally barred from mounting a third term bid.
To keep the presidency in APC hands, Tinubu has to overcome strong opposition in the February 25 election from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) canidate Atiky Abubakar, as well as a strengthening bid by Labor Party standard bearer Peter Obi, whom observers say has a strong urban following.
This report will be updated as more information becomes available.
