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 celebration, which acquired shut to eight.8 million votes – about 36.6% of the full, in response to Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) chairman Mahmood Yakubu.
He defeated vice chairman Atiku Abubakar of the opposition Folks’s Democratic Celebration (PDP), and in style third power candidate Peter Obi, who has gained in reputation amongst younger folks specifically.
In an acceptance speech, Tinubu thanked voters and mentioned he was “profoundly humbled.”
“This can be a shining second within the lifetime of any man and an affirmation of our democratic existence,” he mentioned. “I signify a promise and together with your assist, I do know that promise can be fulfilled.”
He additionally appealed to his “fellow contestants,” asking them to “staff up collectively” to strengthen the nation.
Movies from the capital Abuja confirmed Tinubu’s supporters cheering and celebrating the win.
This election is without doubt one of 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 mentioned 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 celebration as outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari, who Tinubu mentioned 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 turn into Nigeria’s fifth elected president since 1999, successful the race for the nation’s high job on his first try.
Buhari congratulated his soon-to-be successor in a press release Wednesday, calling him “one of the best particular person 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 important opposition events described the outcomes of the election as “closely doctored and manipulated” in a joint information convention.
They mentioned they’d misplaced confidence in Yakubu, the electoral physique chairman, and that the outcomes “don’t mirror the needs 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 “operating 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 properly wanting Nigerian residents’ affordable expectations,” mentioned a joint observer mission of the Worldwide Republican Institute (IRI) and Nationwide Democratic Institute (NDI).
Samson Itodo, the top of Nigeria’s largest impartial election monitoring physique, mentioned on Tuesday there was “critical trigger for concern.” He cited a number of essential 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 embody voters who couldn’t find their polling stations after last-minute modifications, he mentioned.
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 heart after “thugs invaded” it, Itodo mentioned.
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 army was compelled to intervene.
In different cases, voting was delayed or folks didn’t get to vote in any respect, as election officers failed to indicate up.
On Tuesday, the United Nations urged “all stakeholders to stay calm via the conclusion of the electoral course of,” and to keep away from misinformation or inciting violence.