As of early this morning, Wednesday 1st of March, INEC has declared the official president-elect of the 2023 election: Mr Bola Tinubu. The election was considered the most hotly contested election in Nigeria since returning to democratic rule in 1999. Presidential elect, Bola Tinubu, received almost 8.8 million votes or 36.6% of the collated votes, as verified by INEC chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu. Followed by Mr Abubakar of the PDP with roughly 7 million votes. Mr Obi came in third place with about 6.1 million votes. The total voter turnout represented just 26% of registered voters as reported by CNN, bringing the voter participation rate to a historic low.
Mr Tinubu’s election victory is precarious, having won just over 1/3 of participating voters. Such results have brought him a victorious election, but do not give him a clear ruling mandate given the split decision of participating voters. Accusations of electoral malpractice against the ruling party (APC) and INEC by opposition parties further undermine the legitimacy of Mr Tinubu’s victory. Corruption and electoral malpractice are endemic in Nigerian politics, discouraging voters from a sense of duty and potency. This general feeling amongst voters, combined with the promise of victory by each presidential candidate has led to accusations and mudslinging across the political aisle.
An incumbent presidential candidate has only ever lost once since Nigeria’s return to democracy when Mr Buhari defeated incumbent president Mr Jonathan in 2015. President-elect Tinubu has self-described himself as a kingmaker and is credited with winning Buhari’s two electoral bids.
Results for the Senate and House of Representatives are still being collated, which could influence the power structure of the Federal Government.
Nigeria’s population has demonstrated admirable civility in the electoral process, despite many setbacks. INEC and its IReV system were propagated as a breakthrough technology to, at last, bring transparency to Nigeria’s opaque elections. It spectacularly failed. Election results can be contested following the conclusion of the electoral process. However, INEC’s failure to deliver on its promise and reversion to old collation practices has irrevocably damaged its reputation. Opposition parties and dissatisfied voters believe INEC succumbed to external pressures from the ruling party. INEC can still repair its image. As tensions ease following the results, it can work with external international organisations to validate the election and prove that the glitches in IReV were indeed merely technological failings verifiably and undeniably.
President-Elect Tinubu received the certificate of return confirming his electoral victory early Wednesday. He remarked, “As I hold this certificate, this moment is one of celebration and gladness for us. The road has been long. Yet, we walked it. The battle has been hard fought. Yet, we won it. “But more importantly, I realise that I am just a servant of a larger purpose. You see, this is more than a document confirming the positive outcome of an election. “At its most sublime, this certificate also symbolises that each of you has the ability to achieve what others believe is impossible for you to achieve”.
Mr Tinubu inherits many domestic issues such as high unemployment, inflation, and fuel/cash shortages. He is a man steeped in bureaucracy and familiar with the machinations of politics. Such a pedigree and success as governor of Lagos State sets him up well for success as president. He has an expectant nation to satisfy.
Sources
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/28/africa/nigeria-presidential-election-result-intl-hnk/index.html
