Lagos, Nigeria
CNN
—
Bola Ahmed Tinubu was on Wednesday declared the winner of Nigeria’s controversial presidential elections, as opposition leaders decried the polls as rigged and referred to as for a contemporary vote.
Tinubu, 70, represents the ruling All Progressives Congress social gathering, which obtained shut to eight.8 million votes – about 36.6% of the entire, in response to Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) chairman Mahmood Yakubu.
He defeated vp Atiku Abubakar of the opposition Individuals’s Democratic Get together (PDP), and standard third pressure candidate Peter Obi, who has gained in recognition amongst younger folks specifically.
In an acceptance speech, Tinubu thanked voters and stated he was “profoundly humbled.”
“It is a shining second within the lifetime of any man and an affirmation of our democratic existence,” he stated. “I characterize a promise and together with your help, I do know that promise will probably be fulfilled.”
He additionally appealed to his “fellow contestants,” asking them to “workforce up collectively” to strengthen the nation.
Movies from the capital Abuja confirmed Tinubu’s supporters cheering and celebrating the win.
This election is probably the most fiercely contested for the reason that nation returned to democratic rule in 1999, with greater than 93 million folks registered to vote, in response to the INEC.
However Yakubu stated on Wednesday that 24 million legitimate votes had been counted, representing a turnout of simply 26%.
Tinubu, the previous governor of Lagos state, represents the identical social gathering as outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari, who Tinubu stated he helped propel to the highest seat in 2015.
After many years spent behind the scenes, Tinubu launched his marketing campaign for the presidency with the motto: “It’s my flip.”
He’ll grow to be Nigeria’s fifth elected president since 1999, profitable the race for the nation’s prime job on his first try.
Buhari congratulated his soon-to-be successor in an announcement Wednesday, calling him “the very best individual for the job.”
Vote counting since Saturday’s polls has been vehemently challenged by many who allege the method has been marred by corruption and technical failures. On Tuesday, the nation’s predominant opposition events described the outcomes of the election as “closely doctored and manipulated” in a joint information convention.
They stated they’d misplaced confidence in Yakubu, the electoral physique chairman, and that the outcomes “don’t mirror the desires of Nigerians expressed on the polls on February 25, 2023.”
The INEC has rejected the requires a contemporary vote , with one spokesperson insisting the election course of had been “free, honest and credible.”
In his speech, Tinubu additionally counseled the INEC for “working a reputable election it doesn’t matter what anyone says.”
However a number of observers, together with the European Union, have additionally criticized the election for missing transparency.
“The election fell nicely wanting Nigerian residents’ cheap expectations,” stated a joint observer mission of the Worldwide Republican Institute (IRI) and Nationwide Democratic Institute (NDI).
Samson Itodo, the pinnacle of Nigeria’s largest impartial election monitoring physique, stated on Tuesday there was “critical trigger for concern.” He cited a number of crucial points that had hampered public belief within the election course of, together with violence and technical impediments.
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Some logistical issues reported throughout the nation embrace voters who couldn’t find their polling stations after last-minute modifications, he stated.
His non-profit civic group, Yiaga Africa, deployed greater than 3,800 observers throughout Nigeria for the election – with one observer being kicked out of a voting middle after “thugs invaded” it, Itodo stated.
Many citizens in Lagos complained of intimidation and makes an attempt to suppress their votes. In February, CNN visited one polling unit in Lekki, Lagos, which was attacked and the navy was compelled to intervene.
In different situations, voting was delayed or folks didn’t get to vote in any respect, as election officers failed to point out up.
On Tuesday, the United Nations urged “all stakeholders to stay calm by means of the conclusion of the electoral course of,” and to keep away from misinformation or inciting violence.
