After a long and hotly contested campaign, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared the winner of Nigeria’s presidential election, which took place on February 25.
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state, secured 8,794,726 votes, which was almost two million votes more than his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, at the National Collation Centre in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city. The hall was packed with journalists, party agents, and observers, who were eagerly awaiting the results of the election. Professor Yakubu declared Tinubu the winner, stating that he had satisfied the requirements of the law and was duly elected.
Tinubu won in 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states, including his home state of Lagos, and secured significant numbers of votes in several other states. He ran a campaign promising to tackle corruption, improve the economy, and provide better healthcare and education for all Nigerians. His victory is seen as a sign that many Nigerians believe he has the experience and leadership qualities needed to lead the country in a time of economic and political uncertainty.
However, not everyone is happy with the result. Many Nigerians have accused Tinubu of rigging the election and using his influence to sway the outcome in his favor. Some have also expressed concern about his age, as he is 70 years old and would be one of the oldest presidents in Nigeria’s history if he were to take office.
Tinubu’s closest rival, Atiku Abubakar, received 6,984,520 votes, while Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) finished in third place with 6,101,533 votes. Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, won the polls in 11 states, including Lagos, and was seen as a rising star in Nigerian politics. However, his momentum was not enough to overcome Tinubu’s strong showing in other parts of the country.
The election was marred by controversy, violence, and ballot box snatching in some states, which led to several deaths and injuries. There were also reports of vote buying and voter intimidation, which raised questions about the fairness and transparency of the election. The Nigerian government and international observers have promised to investigate these allegations and ensure that the election was conducted in accordance with the law.
Despite these concerns, Tinubu’s victory has been widely celebrated by his supporters, who see him as a strong and decisive leader who can bring about positive change in Nigeria. He has promised to work tirelessly to improve the lives of all Nigerians, and to tackle the many challenges facing the country, including corruption, insecurity, and unemployment. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to fulfill these promises and unite a country that has been deeply divided by years of political turmoil and social unrest.
