Bola Ahmed Tinubu, candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), is Nigeria’s President-elect.
The results so far are as follows:
- Bola Tinubu: 37 percent (President-elect)
- Atiku Abubakar: 29 percent
- Peter Obi: 25 percent
Tinubu defeated opposition leader Atiku Abubakar, of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who made a sixth failed attempt to be Nigeria’s president. And Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP), the former governor of Anambra State, who ran an impressive insurgent campaign that inspired youthful Nigerians calling themselves “Obidients.”
Tinubu 70, who is known as The Godfather of Nigerian politics, a person who supported other politicians to win office, used his clout to marshall support in his home region and south-west Nigeria, but Obi gave him a run for his money in the urban areas.
In a televised speech, Tinubu called on his opponents to team up with him and reconcile the nation.
“”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,” Tinubu said.”
Bola Tinubu, Nigeria's
President-elect has called for reconciliation with his opponents and national peace and calm.https://t.co/ihGVPNAMb4#INECElectionResult
1/4 pic.twitter.com/sn4yMEYzhI— Africana Voice (Formerly Hotseatnews) (@AfricanaVoice) March 1, 2023
My fellow Nigerians, I am profoundly humbled that you have elected me to serve as the 16th president of our beloved republic. This is a shining moment in the life of any man and affirmation of our democratic existence. From my heart, I say thank you. Whether you are Batified, Atikulated, Obidient, Kwankwasiyya, or have any other political affiliation, you voted for a better, 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 shared prosperity and one nurtured by the ideals of unity, justice, peace and tolerance. Renewed hope has dawned in Nigeria. We commend INEC for running a free and fair election. The lapses that did occur were relatively few in number and were immaterial to the final outcome. With each cycle of elections, we steadily perfect this process so vital to our democratic life. Today, Nigeria stands tall as the giant of Africa. It shines even brighter as the continent’s biggest democracy. I thank all who supported my campaign. From President Buhari, who adeptly led my campaign as its chairman, to my Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima. To the progressive governors of our party and this nation, to the party leadership, to our loyal party members. I owe you a debt of gratitude. To the entire campaign organization, I thank you sincerely. I thank my loving wife and dear family, whose support was ceaseless and inspiring. Without you, this victory would not be possible. I am grateful to Almighty God. By His mercy, I was born a son of Nigeria and through His sublime purpose I find myself the victor of this election. May He grant me the wisdom and courage to lead the nation to the greatness He alone has destined for it. Finally, I thank the Nigerian people for their abiding belief in our democracy. I shall be a fair leader to all Nigerians. I will be in tune with your aspirations, charge up your energies and harness your talents to deliver a nation that we can be proud of. To my fellow candidates, former VP Atiku, former governor Kwankwaso, former governor Obi and all others, I extend the hand of friendship. This was a competitive, high-spirited campaign. You have my utmost respect. Political competition must now give way to political conciliation and inclusive governance. During the election, you may have been my opponent, but you were never my enemy. In my heart, you are my brothers. Still, I know some candidates will be hard put to accept the election results. It is your right to seek legal recourse. What is neither right nor defensible is for anybody to resort to violence. Any challenge to the electoral outcome should be made in a court of law, and not in the streets. I also ask my supporters to let peace reign and tensions fade. We ran a principled, peaceful, and progressive campaign. The aftermath of our campaign must be as benign. Yes, there are divisions amongst us that should not exist. Many people are uncertain, angry, and hurt; I reach out to every one of you. Let the better aspects of our humanity step forward at this fateful moment.
Let us begin to heal and bring calm to our nation.
Now, to you, the young people of this country, I hear you loud and clear. I understand your pains, your yearnings for good governance, a functional economy, and a safe nation that protects you and your future.
I am aware that for many of you, Nigeria has become a place of abiding challenges limiting your ability to see a bright future for yourselves.
Remodeling our precious national home requires the harmonious efforts of all of us, especially the youth. Working together, we shall move this nation as never before.
My running mate, Vice President-elect Shettima, and I understand the challenges ahead. More importantly, we also understand and deeply value the talent and innate goodness of you, the Nigerian people.
We pledge to listen and to do the difficult things, the big deeds, that put us on the path of irreversible progress. Hold us firmly to account, but please give us a chance first.
Together, we shall build a brighter and more productive society for today, tomorrow, and for years to come.
Today, you have given me the greatest honor you can bestow on one man.
In return, I will give you my utmost as your next president and commander-in-chief. Peace, unity, and prosperity shall be the cornerstones of the society we intend to build.
When you gaze upon what we shall accomplish in the coming years, you shall speak with pride at being a Nigerian.
I thank you all.
God bless you all.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Previous coverage.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the candidate for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), leads the vote count with 36.61 percent of the votes cast, followed by opposition leader Atiku Abubakar of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who has so far garnered 29.04 percent and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) a youth favorite is third with 25.36 percent share of the votes counted so far.
The 2023 Nigerian Presidential election has been hotly contested, with protests erupting outside the collation center in the capital city of Abuja. The main opposition parties have alleged widespread rigging, calling the election a sham.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo warned about the poll results, calling for transparency and urging Nigerians to be vigilant about any attempts to manipulate the election outcome. Obasanjo’s warning came amidst concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.
???????? Mahmood Yakubu @inecnigeria take this warning ⚠️ for granted @ your peril when the fire start burning you will be on the run, Obasanjo leads we follow
Fashola PU by PU Nyesom Wike RCCG Chelsea The Supreme Court Rivers Muslim Muslim FIFA Kwankwaso Buhari Rigged EU and UK pic.twitter.com/58BlSGjPfL
— SirOdue (@Sirodue1) February 27, 2023
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Commonwealth observers led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki have given the election process a pass but pointed out various issues witnessed on election day.
Our observers noted significant delays in the opening of polls in most polling units, which impacted pre-poll procedures. In some instances, polling officials arrived late at their designated polling units, while in other cases, there were gaps observed in the timely supply and delivery of essential materials, Mbeki said in a statement.
According to BBC, European Union observers said the electoral body’s poor planning and communication had undermined trust in the process.
The observers’ report will likely fuel demands for new polls, especially from Obi supporters, known as Obidients, who backed his insurgent campaign.
Protests have erupted in various parts of the country, saying the election was rigged and Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) bungled the polls.
The BBC reports that on Tuesday, a group of angry protesters denounced the electoral commission outside the national collation center in the capital, Abuja.
“Everything happening there is all lies, all lies, lies… they are cooking up results,” one man told the BBC.
INEC has advised aggrieved candidates to go to court.
To win the presidency in Nigeria, a candidate needs to secure 25% of votes in two-thirds of the 36 states plus the capital city of Abuja, in addition to having the most votes. If none of the candidates meet this threshold, the top two candidates will meet in a run-off election held within 21 days.
So far, the results mean that even though Tinubu is currently leading in the vote count, he still needs to meet this requirement to be declared the outright winner.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation with the largest economy.
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