Nigeria ( Commonwealth Union ) _ Bola Tinubu of the ruling party of Nigeria is elected as the new president after a challenging election by defeating two of his closest challengers in the most contested election in decades. Following the weekend election, Tinubu’s victory indicated that Nigeria’s established political class will continue to rule. The poll was dubbed a potential “inflection moment” by analysts for the most populous nation in Africa, which is dealing with economic unrest, extensive violence, and corruption.
Following a hectic count that lasted nearly four days, the Independent Nigerian Electoral Commission (Inec) declared the results early on Wednesday.
The count revealed that reformer candidate Peter Obi overcame a paucity of funding and sluggish organization to make significant advances, even if Tinubu’s victory appeared to strengthen the All Progressives Congress (APC) party’s hold on power.
After a contentious debate over results opposition parties claimed were inaccurate, Nigeria’s newly elected president Tinubu established the legitimacy of the election and urged citizens to come together.
To applause in Abuja, Tinubu declared, “I am very glad I have been chosen the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” “This mandate is serious. I hereby consent to it. Tinubu has a long history of being regarded as a powerful and unnoticed “political godfather.” Tinubu worked as a management consultant after relocating to the US, where he drove taxis to pay for his business administration education. During his return to Nigeria in the 1990s, which were the final years of the military administration, he got involved in politics.
With 8.79 million votes secured, 70-year-old veteran Tinubu easily defeated leading opposition rival Atiku Abubakar, who received 6.98 million votes, to claim a resounding victory. Obi, who received 6.1 million votes, stunned many by triumphing in both Lagos, Nigeria’s largest metropolis and economic hub, and Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Critics seized on Tinubu’s campaign slogan, “It’s my turn,” as proof of an attitude of entitlement. Also, detractors claimed that Tinubu’s appearances when he slurred his words implied health issues. His actual age is questioned. APC officials and ministerial aides began to publicly declare their victory a day after the votes closed.
Observers have compared Tinubu to 62-year-old businessman Obi, who crossed the nation’s fault lines to win over voters from all communities and ran a slick social media campaign to win over the young. Obi is energetic and frugal, and he contrasts himself with Tinubu.
The election reiterated for the first time in Nigeria’s modern history that a new candidate should overcome a substantial challenge to obtain power from the Nigeria’s main political parties.
