Tinubu wins Nigeria presidential election
Nigeria’s recent presidential election has been won by Bola Tinubu, the candidate from the ruling party.
According to official results, the veteran politician received 37% of the vote, while his main opponent Atiku Abubakar polled 29% and Peter Obi from the Labour party received 25%.
The poll was disputed by the opposition parties, who demanded a rerun.
Tinubu calls for politicians to work together
Tinubu, who is known as one of Nigeria’s wealthiest politicians, campaigned on his record of rebuilding Lagos during his time as governor.
Despite being defeated in the city by Obi, who mobilised support from young people in urban areas, Tinubu won most other states in his home region of the southwest, where he is known as a “political godfather” who helps others into office.
In his acceptance speech, Tinubu called for reconciliation with his opponents and urged them to work together to build the country. He acknowledged that there were some lapses in the election, but said that they were few in number and did not affect the outcome.
Rebuild crumbling economy
Tinubu will now take over from President Muhammadu Buhari, who is stepping down after two terms in office.
Buhari’s had a tough time in office, his premiership was marked by economic stagnation and growing insecurity, including an Islamist insurgency in the northeast and a nationwide crisis of kidnapping for ransom and separatist attacks in the southeast.
It’s no easy task ahead for Tinubu, the economy remains in tatters and he will need to address the widespread insecurity and the growing trend of regional and religious blocs.
Who is Bola Tinubu?
Bola Tinubu is a Nigerian politician and the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), one of Nigeria’s major political parties. He was born on March 29, 1952, in Lagos, Nigeria. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Chicago State University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University Graduate School of Business.
Tinubu started his political career in the 1990s when he was elected to the Nigerian Senate. He was later elected as governor of Lagos State in 1999 and served two terms until 2007. During his time as governor, Tinubu is credited with modernizing Lagos and transforming it into a major economic centre in Nigeria.
After leaving office, Tinubu became involved in national politics and played a key role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013, which went on to win the 2015 presidential election. Tinubu is considered to be one of the most powerful politicians in Nigeria, and his political influence is felt across the country, especially in the southwestern region of Nigeria.
In 2023 he won the Nigerian presidential election.
