‘They Challenge Me More’: President Tinubu Lauds Grassroots APC Primaries as State House Issues Official Verdict

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has delivered a resounding pass mark on the nationwide conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries, scoring the party’s decentralized internal democratic mechanisms exceptionally high.

The President spoke dynamically during an immediate media interaction after casting his ballot at Ikoyi-Obalende Ward L2 in Lagos State on Saturday. Arriving alongside First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the President was received at the voting center by a high-profile political delegation, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos APC Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole and former Minister of Finance Wale Edun.

Reinforcing the President's field observations, a formal State House press statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, explicitly validated the structural integrity of the exercise. The presidency declared that the nationwide process represents a potent, uncompromised demonstration of internal democracy, directly deepening political engagement by returning definitive choice to the party's grassroots base.

When evaluated on whether the state governors had successfully executed his executive mandate to deliver an orderly, acceptable and peaceful primary across the federation, the President offered explicit praise for the administrative process.

"Today, I am very satisfied very, very satisfied that these governors have done well in their various states," President Tinubu declared. "From the ward congresses to local government congresses, to the delegate accreditation, validation, membership registration and the certification of the electoral process, it has been done very well. At least, you could rate democracy at a high level."

The President emphasized that the exhaustive, multi-stage verification framework spanning membership registration up to final process certification proves that grassroots integration remains the foundational anchor of the ruling party. He noted that the orderly conduct of voters nationwide directly neutralizes external skepticism regarding internal party alignment.

"This is a demonstration of internal democracy and it has been going on very well according to plan," the President reflected. "This is grassroots politics where every member of the party has the right to participate. It shows that we have internal democracy and it’s peaceful and well organized."

The State House statement further revealed that the President highly commended the electoral officials, party leadership and security agencies for maintaining absolute credibility and peace throughout the polling centers, calling on Nigerians to continue backing democratic institutions to preserve national unity.

Reacting to the immense turnout and vocal support from the party faithful at the Lagos center, President Tinubu maintained that the strong showing of institutional trust serves as a mandate for increased administrative accountability rather than complacency. Looking ahead to the general election sequence, the visibly energized President concluded that the competitive internal environment has only strengthened his focus.

"I'm just excited," President Tinubu remarked. "They challenge me more."