Tinubu Polls 277,192 Votes In Bayelsa APC Presidential Primaries As Diri Backs Restructuring Agenda

May 23, 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu secured a total of 277,192 votes in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries conducted across the 105 wards in Bayelsa State’s eight local government areas on Saturday.

Governor Douye Diri, who served as the state Coordinator and Collation Officer for the exercise, announced the results at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.
According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor described the conduct of the primaries as peaceful and orderly, noting that the exercise reflected a departure from what he termed the party’s previously “toxic” primaries in the state.

Diri commended party members for their maturity and sportsmanship, especially aspirants who lost in the contests, urging them to remain committed to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“You have conducted yourselves so well. The exercise has been peaceful, calm and in some areas more of a festive mood,” the governor stated.
He further said the APC was strongly positioned to dominate future elections in Bayelsa due to its unity and the advantage of incumbency at both state and federal levels.

“If all of these people here will go back to our wards, can’t we deliver? Can anybody beat us in Bayelsa State? It is a very big capital No,” Diri declared.

Providing a breakdown of the results, the governor said Tinubu polled 39,454 votes in Brass Local Government Area, 45,949 in Ekeremor, 22,593 in Kolokuma/Opokuma, and 32,487 in Nembe.
The president also secured 24,896 votes in Ogbia, 46,283 in Sagbama, 34,692 in Southern Ijaw, and 30,834 in Yenagoa.

Tinubu’s only challenger, Stanley Osifo, polled five votes, all from Yenagoa Local Government Area.

Speaking earlier at his Sampou/Kalama Ward 6 in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Diri said the APC remained the only political party offering hope to Nigerians through Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The governor acknowledged that some of the reforms introduced by the current administration were difficult but insisted they were necessary for the country’s long-term development and economic stability.

He also expressed optimism that the restructuring of Nigeria could be achieved under Tinubu’s leadership, describing the president as one of the few leaders with the experience, democratic credentials and political will to address the country’s longstanding ethnic, religious and political challenges.
Diri cited Tinubu’s role in the pro-democracy struggle and his involvement in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) during the military era as evidence of his commitment to democratic reforms and national restructuring.

The collation of results was observed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner in Bayelsa State, Isah Ehimeakhe, the commission’s Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Eme Akpa, the State Commissioner of Police, Daniel Iyamah, and other security chiefs.

Also present at the event were Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Akpe, Senator Konbowei Benson, members of the House of Representatives Oforji Oboku and Rodney Ambaiowei, APC State Chairman Warman Ogoriba, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Abraham Ingobere, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and several other party leaders and stakeholders.