Reuben Abati sparks debate with Tinubu APC primary remarks spark debate as journalist questions vote figures while praising Tinubu’s political strategy
Veteran journalist and former presidential aide Reuben Abati has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu demonstrated clear political dominance following the outcome of the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential primary, describing the process as a strong display of strategic control within the party.
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Abati made the remarks during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, where he analysed the APC primary results and their implications for Nigeria’s wider political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reuben Abati comment on Tinubu APC primary remarks have since drawn attention, particularly his comments suggesting that the scale of Tinubu’s reported victory positioned him as “the owner of the game” within the ruling party.
According to Abati, President Tinubu’s overwhelming score of over 11 million votes against his closest challenger, Stanley Osifo, who reportedly polled just over 1,000 votes, sends a significant political message to opposition parties.
He argued that the figures reflect not only internal party strength but also a broader “demonstration effect” that could shape how opposition candidates approach the 2027 electoral contest.
Abati further suggested that opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, may need to surpass such figures if they hope to mount a credible challenge in future elections.
However, the veteran journalist also questioned the credibility of the voting process, pointing to inconsistencies and what he described as difficulties in basic vote counting during parts of the APC primaries held over the weekend.
He noted that while the outcome projected strength for the ruling party, the process itself was not without controversy, citing reports of protests and disagreements over the use of consensus arrangements and direct primaries in different locations.
Abati’s comments have since sparked renewed debate among political observers, with analysts divided over whether his remarks were an endorsement of Tinubu’s political strategy or a critique of the internal party process.
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The discussion adds to ongoing national conversations about party democracy, electoral credibility and the evolving dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
