Electoral commission declares Bola Tinubu victor in Nigerian presidential election

March 3, 2023

On Wednesday, Nigeria's (INEC) announced, nominee of the ruling  (APC), won the nation's presidential election on Saturday.

According to the INEC, Tinubu received 8,794,726 votes (36.61%), carrying 12 states; turnout was 27%.

Citing discrepancies between vote totals recorded at local voting places and the INEC's data, both opposition parties — the (PDP) and the  — alleged fraud. Both demanded a repeat of the election and the INEC chairman's resignation.

Dozens of protestors took to the streets in the capital, Abuja, and southern, while the United Nations released a statement urging "all stakeholders to remain calm through the conclusion of the electoral process".

The INEC's results showed, of the PDP, who has sought the presidency multiple times, won 6,984,520 votes (29.07%) and 12 states; Labour's received 6,101,533 votes (25%), winning 11 states, including the Nigerian capital territory of Abuja.

Shortly after 4:00 a.m. (0300 UTC) Wednesday, INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu went on television to announce Tinubu's victory.

Tinubu addressed supporters in his campaign headquarters in Abuja: "I take this opportunity to appeal to my fellow contestants to let us team up together.

"It is the only nation we have. It is one country and we must build together."

One of the wealthiest Nigerian politicians, Tinubu is a former governor of, home to , the country's biggest city; Obi carried the state on Saturday, however.

Tinubu's campaign emphasised debt reduction, infrastructure and security.