Bola Tinubu becomes the new President of Nigeria

In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the hard-fought presidential election. As the electoral commission INEC announced early Wednesday morning, the 70-year-old social democrat received around 8.8 million votes.

Tinubu was ahead of Atiku Abubakar, who finished in second place, two million votes behind. The Labor Party’s Peter Obi, popular with the youth, finished third with 6.1 million. According to the election commission, election winner Tinubu not only received the most votes, but also the required 25 percent in more than 24 states.

In a speech after the results were announced, Tinubu said he accepted the mandate to serve the people. He promised to invest in education and move the country forward, and called on his opponents to build Nigeria together. Tinubu stressed in his speech that he wanted Nigeria to have one. The country needs someone to set a direction.

He also urged people to remain calm. Many people are insecure, angry and hurt. Addressing the opposition, Tinubu said, “Political competition must now give way to political conciliation and inclusive governance. You may have been my opponents during the election, but you were never my enemies.” If the opposition does not accept the results, they should go to court, but not take to the streets.

Opposition calls for cancellation

On Tuesday, opposition representatives called for Saturday’s election to be canceled due to inconsistencies. Various images of allegedly forged evaluation papers are circulating on social media. Election observers had also criticized major delays and organizational problems. On election day, polling stations across the country sometimes opened hours late. According to the opposition, some of the results were also evaluated and transmitted manually instead of electronically as planned. The opposition parties therefore speak of electoral fraud.

Almost 90 million eligible voters were called on Saturday to nominate President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor. After two terms in office, he was not allowed to run again. In addition to the President, both chambers of Parliament were re-elected.

Pointing the way for the region

The election in Nigeria, the continent’s largest economy with a population of 220 million, is seen as a landmark for the entire region. Economic and political instability are affecting neighboring countries. In Nigeria, about half of the 220 million inhabitants profess Christianity, the other half Islam.

Bola Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos, a metropolis of millions, is a close confidante of outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari. From 1999 to 2007 he governed Lagos, the largest metropolitan area in Africa with more than 23 million inhabitants. The 70-year-old is considered one of the richest politicians in the West African country. How exactly he got his money is unclear. He was repeatedly accused of corruption.

Like outgoing President Buhari, Tinubu is in poor health. To assuage concerns, he posted a video of himself on an exercise bike on social media in October.

AR/pg (epd, kna, afp)