In a controversial election, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared the new president of Nigeria, reports CNN. He will become the fifth elected president of the 36-state African country since 1999.
Representing the All Progressives Congress Party, Tinubu earned almost 36.6% of the vote, defeating vice president Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi, who received large support among the country's young voters.
In his victory speech, Tinubu said that he was “profoundly humbled” by the election results.
“This is a shining moment in the life of any man and an affirmation of our democratic existence,” said Tinubu. “I represent a promise and with your support, I know that promise will be fulfilled.”
The new president also acknowledged his “fellow contestants,” asking them to “team up together” to have a positive impact on the latest democratic country on the African continent.
Before his winning bid for the presidency, Tinubu served as governor of Lagos state in Nigeria. Representing the same party as his successor President Muhammadu Buhari, Tinubu played a crucial role in the former president’s rise to executive leader.
“It’s my turn,” was Tinubu’s campaign motto after gaining a reputation for being a political mastermind behind the scenes.
While Tinubu was in celebration mode, many have characterized the election as fraudulent due to numerous technical difficulties, political violence and alleged vote rigging.
Julius Abure, Chairman of the Labour Party argued that the election should have ended because of the alleged fraud.
“We demand that this sham of an election be immediately canceled,” Abure said. “We have totally lost faith in the whole process.”
In a statement on Monday, the Independent National Electoral Commission said that it plans to take “full responsibility” for the issues that plagued the election.
Others, including the European Union, criticized the election process for lacking transparency.
“The election fell well short of Nigerian citizens’ reasonable expectations,” said the International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI) in a joint statement.
The United Nations pleaded with the Nigerian citizens and all involved parties “to remain calm through the conclusion of the electoral process,” and to avoid any violent political battles.
Despite being surrounded by controversy, Tinubu congratulated the INEC for “running a credible election no matter what anybody says.”
