Foreign
Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu Declared Winner of Presidential Election
Bola Tinubu has been declared the winner of Nigeria‘s presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking the end of the country’s election process and sparking mixed reactions.
Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, won 37 percent of Saturday’s vote, and in accordance to law, was returned elected.
He declared his acceptance of the mandate, pledging himself to the service of Nigeria.
Supporters and observers alike were quick to show varying reactions to the news.
While some welcomed Tinubu’s victory with cheers of “jagaban” (his local chieftain title), others held small rallies at Millennium Park in Abuja, showcasing theirs discontent with the election process.
Two observer missions, including the European Union (EU) team, reported major logistical problems, disenfranchised voters, and a lack of transparency on the electoral commission’s part.
Though Tinubu will not officially be sworn in until May 29th, opposition forces have already planned to mount a legal challenge to the election results within limits of time.
The election petitions are due to be studied by the election petition tribunal, with the Supreme Court having the final say on the matter.
The future administration must take on a few grave tasks upon inauguration.
Nigeria is highly factious, with Tinubu losing both his home base of Lagos and the capital Abuja.
The economy is also in a state of disarray, having faced two recessions in five years, with cash and fuel shortages being a cause of nationwide outcry.
Lastly, deadly insurgencies are another pressing matter, with Boko Haram ardently carrying out a 13-year campaign in the north, and multiple armed groups residing elsewhere in the country.
The election of Bola Tinubu marks the end of a long race, and the beginning of another – the race to restore Nigeria’s unity, economy and security.
Credit: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/1/now-that-tinubu-is-nigerias-president-what-happens-next
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