THE National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, recorded a lead from votes counted in the first box at the ongoing national convention of the party.

Other aspirants who got votes in the box are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, former minister Rotimi Amaechi, and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

The sorting of votes by national delegates has commenced at the presidential primary election of the All Progressives Congress.

The ballot casting exercise to determine the fate of aspirants, which was carried out by 2,340 delegates, started at about 2.40 am and ended at 7.45 am.

The six-hour voting process ended with a few delegates still hanging around in a near-empty field of Eagle Square.

However, feelers from the convention ground in Abuja indicated that the battle for the sole presidential ticket is still down to former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The winner is expected to be declared in a few hours.Fourteen aspirants are still in the race.

They are Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mr Ahmed Rufai, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Mr Jack Rich, Gov. Ben Ayade, Gov. David Umuahi, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Sen. Ahmed Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawal, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, Gov. Yahaya Bello and Mr Ogbonnaya Onu.

Nine aspirants had earlier withdrawn from the race including Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohnenye, Dr Felix Nicholas, former Gov. Godswill Akpabio, former Gov. Ibikunle Amosun, former Speaker Dimeji Bankole, Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, Gov. Muhammad Badaru, Sen. Ken Nnamani and Gov. Kayode Fayemi