How PDP and APC delegates voted in Nigeria’s 2022 Presidential Primaries

As preparation for Nigeria’s 2023 election draws nearer, the task of electing the aspirants who will bear their individual party’s flag at different levels has been concluded, with the elected delegates casting their votes for whom they would like to take the country forward. According to the 2022 Electoral Act as amended, these delegates emerge from internal elections of the party conducted in each of the local governments, participated by the members of the party.

For the Presidential primaries, the delegates’ list comprises of ad-hoc delegates elected across the local governments in the country while for the Governorship primaries, the delegates list comprises of ad-hoc delegates elected across the wards in the State. This is based on the specified number in the party’s constitution or guidelines, multiplied by the number of local governments that exist in each State. The delegates, according to the Act, are to vote at the convention, congress, or meeting, in addition to statutory delegates already prescribed in the constitution of the party. 

Nigeria’s PDP picks Atiku Abubakar to run for president in 2023

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) held its primaries in the last week of May, with the Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar leading the campaign with 371 votes. While the Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, placed second with a number of 237 votes. 
• Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki pulled 70 votes
• Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom scored 38 votes
• Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed got 20 votes
• Former Senate President/SSG, Pius Anyim had 14 votes.

The Ruling party picks former Governor of Lagos State as its flagbearer 

The  ruling party, All-Progressive Congress (APC) concluded its primaries on the 8th of June at the Eagles Square, Abuja, with the Former Governor of Lagos state, Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerging as winner with a whopping 1,071 votes, while Former Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi came distant 2nd with 316 votes.

• Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who also vied for the presidential ticket got 235 votes to rank third.
• The current Senate (the nation's highest legislative arm) President, Lawan, Ahmed scored 152 votes
• Yahaya Bello, Governor of Kogi State, got 47 votes, and 
• Umahi, Nweze David, Governor of Ebonyi State, scored 38 votes.

What next?

The APC flagbearer, Bola Tinubu will now contend with opposition leader Atiku Abubakar as the two vie to succeed incumbent Muhammadu Buhari as president of Africa’s biggest economy.

Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governors of Anambra and Kano states and candidates of smaller opposition parties, are seen as wildcards in the race. The rest lies in the hands of Nigerians to choose who their preferred president will be, come 2023.