AftermathEdit
The results were announced in the early hours of 1 March 2023. Bola
Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress was named the president-elect in a
tight election, with Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi earning substantial votes.
[708] Tinubu said, "It (Nigeria) is the only nation we have. It is one country,
and we must build together. Let's work together to put broken pieces
together…This is a shining moment in the life of any man and an affirmation
of our democratic existence. I represent a promise and with your support, I
know that promise will be fulfilled."[709]
Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) called the
election free, fair and credible, several observers, including the European
Union, said the election was not transparent. A joint observer mission of
the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic
Institute said, "The election fell well short of Nigerian citizens' reasonable
expectations." Samson Itodo, the head of YIAGA Africa, said there were
serious concerns about the elections process because major issues such as
violence and technical problems had hampered public trust in the election
process. The United Nations urged "all stakeholders to remain calm through
the conclusion of the electoral process."[709]
Nigeria's main opposition parties said the results of the election were
"heavily doctored and manipulated" in a joint news conference. "We won this
election as Labour Party, we are going to claim our mandate as Labour
Party," said Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the party's vice presidential candidate.
Ndi Kato, the Labour Party's presidential campaign spokesperson, said, "We
are defiant. The elections were rigged."[709]
Both the PDP and Labor Party separately filed formal petitions challenging
Tinubu's victory on 22 March.[32][33]
ResponseEdit
International reactionsEdit
African Union – Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa
Faki congratulated Tinubu on 3 March, vowing to support Nigeria in "her
journey to deepen democracy, good governance, sustainable development
and consolidate peace, security, and stability in the country." Additionally,
Faki urged "that any post-election dispute or grievance be pursued through
the judicial system."[710]
Benin – President Patrice Talon congratulated Tinubu on Facebook on 2
March, stating that he looked forward to working together with Tinubu and
furthering cooperation between Benin Republic and Nigeria. [711]
Chad – Transitional President Mahamat Déby congratulated Tinubu on
Twitter on 1 March, stating that he looked forward to working together with
Tinubu and strengthening bilateral relations. [712][713]
China – President Xi Jinping congratulated Tinubu on 5 March, noting
increased cooperative relations between China and Nigeria in recent years.
[714] The brief press release echoed a similar statement by Mao Ning—
a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson—at a press conference on 2 March.
[715]
Egypt – President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi congratulated Tinubu on 4 March,
also wishing him success in his administration. [716]
Ghana – President Nana Akufo-Addo congratulated Tinubu on Twitter on 2
March, hoping that the new administration would "deepen" the bilateral
friendship between Ghana and Nigeria. [717]
India – Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tinubu on Twitter on
3 March, stating that he "looked forward to further strengthening India-
Nigeria bilateral relations".[718]
Ivory Coast – President Alassane Ouattara congratulated Tinubu on
Twitter on 3 March, stating that he looked forward to working together with
Tinubu and strengthening bilateral relations. [719]
Niger – President Mohamed Bazoum congratulated Tinubu on Twitter on 3
March, labeling the election as free, democratic, and transparent. [720]
United Kingdom – Prime Minister Rishi Sunak congratulated Tinubu on
Twitter on 1 March, stating that he would "look forward to working together
to grow our security and trade ties, opening up opportunities for businesses
and creating prosperity in both our countries." [721]
United States – In a 1 March statement, the State
Department congratulated Tinubu but urged INEC to improve processes
before the state elections on 11 March. The release also called on candidates
and parties to use legal means to challenge results peacefully. [722]
