Bola Ahmed Tinubu was named the winner of Nigeria’s contentious presidential election, despite protests from opposition figures who demanded a new election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, estimates that Tinubu, 70, got about 8.8 million votes, or about 36.6% of the total, on behalf of the governing All Progressives Congress party.
He defeated Peter Obi, a popular candidate for the third force who has garnered support from young people in particular, and vice president Atiku Abubakar of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
During his acceptance speech, Tinubu praised the audience and expressed his “profound humility.”
“This is a shining moment in the life of any man and an affirmation of our democratic existence,” he said. “I represent a promise and with your support, I know that promise will be fulfilled.”
He also appealed to his “fellow contestants,” asking them to “team up together” to strengthen the country.
Videos from the nation’s capital Abuja showed Tinubu’s fans jubilating over their candidate’s victory.
Former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu is a member of the same political party as departing President Muhammadu Buhari, who Tinubu claims he helped elect to office in 2015.
After working behind the scenes for decades, Tinubu declared “It’s my time” to run for president.
With his victory in the presidential election, he will become Nigeria’s sixth elected leader since 1999.
In a statement on Wednesday, Buhari praised his incoming successor, calling him “the best person for the position.”
Many people have fiercely contested the results of the vote tally since Saturday’s polls, claiming that it was tainted by corruption and technical issues.
