Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared winner of arguably Nigeria’s most hotly contested and high-stakes presidential elections.
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, announced the former Lagos Governor’s victory, on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at the National Collation Centre in Abuja, a hall packed full of journalists, party agents and observers.
In an announcement watched by an eager nation and many across the world, Professor Yakubu declared, “That Tinubu Bola Ahmed of the APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”
Professor Yakubu’s announcement, four days after the vote, brings to a climax a presidential election marred by controversy, violence and ballot box snatching in some states of the country on February 25 during the election.
Tinubu, 70, came out tops in 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states, and secured significant numbers in several other states to claim the highest number of votes — 8,794,726, almost two million votes more than his closest rival — former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Abubakar, 76, who has now run for President six times, got 6,984,520 votes, while the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, who, in less than a year, garnered young voters in a manner some have described as unprecedented finished the race with 6,101,533.
In his acceptance speech, Tinubu, thanked all those who participated in the February 25 election with particular mention of ‘Articulated’, ‘Obidients’, ‘Batified’ and ‘Kwankwasiyya’ supporters.
“Whether you are Batified or Atikulated, Obidients, Kwankwasiyya or have any other political affiliation, you voted and struggled for a better Nigeria, more hopeful nation and I thank you for your participation and dedication to our democracy.
“You decided to place your trust in the democratic vision of a Nigeria founded on a shared prosperity and one nurtured by the ideas of unity, justice, peace and tolerance.”
Bola Tinubu
Also, the President-elect called for reconciliation with his opponents.
“I take this opportunity to appeal to my fellow contestants to let us team up together. It is the only nation we have, it is one country and we must build it together,” he said.
Tinubu disclosed that they had the right to challenge the results in court but said that the lapses in the election “were relatively few in number and were immaterial to affect the outcome of this election”.
President Buhari Congratulates Tinubu
Reacting to the results, President Muhammadu Buhari said, “I congratulate His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory. Elected by the people, he is the best person for the job. I shall now work with him and his team to ensure an orderly handover of power.”
“The election was Africa’s largest democratic exercise. In a region that has undergone backsliding and military coups in recent years, this election demonstrates democracy’s continued relevance and capability to deliver for the people it serves,” Buhari said.
“I know some politicians and candidates may not agree with this view. That too is fine. If any candidate believes they can prove the fraud they claim is committed against them, then bring forward the evidence. If they cannot, then we must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will – no matter how hard that may be for the losers to accept. If they feel the need to challenge, please take it to the courts, not to the streets.”
President Buhari
Also, President Buhari urged all candidates to remember the peace pledge they signed just days before the election, adding that they should not undermine the credibility of INEC.
“Let us now move forward as one. The people have spoken,” Buhari added.
President Muhammadu Buhari is stepping down after two terms in office.
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