Category: Lead

Is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s failure to transmit election results electronically a valid ground for cancellation of the affected results? ROBERT EGBE examines the issue.

How should election results be transmitted after collation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presiding officers? Is the direct electronic transmission of election results from polling units mandatory under the Electoral Act, 2022? What is the effect of non-compliance with the e-transmission of results requirement?

These questions are at the root of controversies stirred by some political parties and stakeholders following the February 25 presidential and national assembly elections.

Controversy

INEC on Wednesday declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer Asiwaju Bola Tinubu the winner of the presidential polls, ahead of his closest rivals Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP)’s Peter Obi.

Two days earlier, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the National Peace Committee led by former Head of State, Gen.  Abdulsalami Abubakar  faulted the alleged manual transmission of election results by some INEC presiding officers.

Obasanjo urged President Muhammadu Buhari to cancel the results in dispute and reschedule such cancelled election for next Saturday, March 4.

The same day, the National Collation Agent for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dino Melaye and other party agents also walked out of the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja over alleged INEC’s  non-compliance with the Electoral Act on e-transmission of results, among others.

Melaye alleged that INEC was compromised and that the election was rigged in favour of the APC.

Transmission of results: What does the law say?

The most relevant laws governing the transmission of results are the Electoral Act 2022, particularly Sections 60 to 65, and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, released on June 3, 2022.

Section 60(5) of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that “The presiding officer shall transfer the results including the total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot in a manner prescribed by the Commission”.

The use of “shall” suggests that the presiding officer must transmit the results as prescribed by the INEC.

INEC’s instructions as to how this should be done by the presiding officer are contained in its Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022 last June, pursuant to Section 149 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The regulations apply to the conduct of elections to offices of: “President and Vice President; Governor and Deputy Governor; National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives); State Houses of Assembly; Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils; and Councillors of FCT Area Councils Legislature.”

Paragraph 38 of the Regulations and Guidelines, 2023 appears to make Electronic Transmission of Results and Upload of Results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) mandatory.

It states: “On completion of all the Polling Unit voting and results procedures, the Presiding Officer shall:

“(i) Electronically transmit or transfer the result of the Polling Unit, direct to the collation system as prescribed by the Commission.

“(ii) Use the BVAS to upload a scanned copy of the EC8A to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), as prescribed by the Commission.

“(iii) Take the BVAS and the original copy of each of the forms in a tamper-evident envelope to the Registration Area/Ward Collation Officer, in the company of Security Agents. The Polling Agents may accompany the Presiding Officer to the RA/Ward Collation Centre.”

Thus, the Regulations and Guidelines seem to require that the presiding officer must electronically transmit the results from the polling units, after which the results would then be taken manually to the collation centres.

Electronic transmission mandatory, say SAN, law teacher

Senior lawyer, Samuel Okutepa (SAN) believes direct e-transmission is compulsory and that polling units’ results must be uploaded on IREV.

Okutepa said this is in accordance with Paragraph 38 of the INEC guidelines

The lawyer said: “There is no doubt that INEC is under a statutory obligation to transmit election results electronically. The starting point of the argument is paragraph 38 of the INEC manual made pursuant to Section 149 of the Electoral Act 2022 and the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“That paragraph which deals with the transmission of results at the polling units is crucial and it imposes a statutory obligation on the part of INEC to upload polling units’ results on its portal.

“Before proceeding further, it is important to note that polling units’ results are the pyramid upon which other results are built. Therefore, it is required that the moment polls come to a close and the results are declared, the results must be uploaded on INEC servers or portal.”

Nigeria Law School teacher, Sylvester Udemezue, agreed.

He said: “Section 60(5) of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that ‘The presiding officer SHALL transfer the results including total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot in a manner prescribed by the Commission’.

“The use of ‘shall’ here, it is respectfully submitted, implies that the presiding officer MUST transmit the results as prescribed by the INEC Guidelines.

Udemezue noted that the Regulations and Guidelines supersede all previous regulations and/or guidelines on the conduct of elections, issued by the INEC.

He said the Regulations and Guidelines “require that the presiding officer must electronically transmit the results DIRECT from the polling units, after which the results would then be taken manually to the collation centres.

“This means that the Regulations and Guidelines prescribe two levels of collation: (1). Electronic Transmission (collation) which must be done directly from the polling units; and (2). Manual collation which would then follow after electronic Transmission.”

In his view, manual collation “is the lower level of collation, according to Section 64(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.”

Effect of INEC’s failure to comply

Okutepa noted that the word used in Paragraph 38 of the INEC guidelines is “shall.” He added that failure to comply could lead to result cancellation.

He added: “It is mandatory and compulsory. INEC has no option. So the failure to upload results and follow the procedures set out in paragraph 38 of the manual made pursuant to the Electoral Act 2022, is a fundamental breach that has the potential of rendering the election results that did not follow those procedures null and void.

“The law is that where the law has set out the procedures to be followed, the procedures and no other must be followed.”

Udemezue also considered the legal effect of INEC’s failure to comply with the provisions on direct electronic transmission from the polling units.

He noted Section 64(5) of the Electoral Act, 2022 which requires that “the collation officer or returning officer shall use the accredited voters recorded and transmitted directly from the polling units under Section 47(2) of this Act and the votes or results recorded and transmitted directly from polling units under Section 60(4) of this Act, to collate and announce the results if a collated result at his or a lower level of collation is not correct”.

Udemezue said the legal and practical implications of the provisions of Section 64(5) of the Electoral Act 2022, are that “e-transmission of election results directly from the polling units is mandatory and collation of results manually (the lower level of collation) is still allowed.”

He argued that where there is a conflict between results transmitted electronically direct from the polling units and results as collated manually, ‘the results as transmitted electronically direct from the polling units shall prevail.”

The teacher added: “In order to determine whether such a conflict exists, there must have been a direct electronic transmission from the polling units, before the manual transmission. Both must co-exist.

“The results transmitted direct from the polling units (higher level collation) are the yardsticks for measuring the authenticity of the results collated manually (lower level collation);

“The collation officer at the collation centre must be afforded the opportunity of measuring the authenticity of the manually-collated results by matching them against the electronically transmitted results. This opportunity may only exist where there has been direct electronic e-transmission from the polling units before the manual collation, so that both must be present to enable the collation officer to make an informed determination.”

In his view, failure to transmit the results electronically direct from the polling units “is a fatal violation of the law, because the collation officer is then denied the mandatory opportunity to verify the authenticity of the manually collated results by matching them against the electronically transmitted results.”

He added: “Under the Electoral Act 2022, non-compliance with mandatory provisions of the law is a ground for review (which may include, but not limited to, outright cancellation) of any results even after declaration/return has been made.

“The proviso to section 65(1)(c) of the Electoral Act, 2022 gives the INEC the power within seven days of the declaration of any election results and the return of any candidate, to REVIEW the DECLARATION or RETURN where INEC determines that the declaration or return was not made voluntarily or was made contrary to the provisions of the law, regulations and guidelines, and manual for the election.”

Three SANS: E-transmission not compulsory

But senior lawyers with the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council Directorate of Legal Affairs disagreed.

A Director in the Legal Department of the  All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC PCC),  Dr Hassan M. Liman, Deputy Directors Legal, APC PCC, Olusola Oke and Babatunde K. Ogala in a joint statement made a counterargument.

The three SANs noted that those who called on INEC to outrightly cancel the election hinged their argument on the alleged failure of INEC to comply with the provisions of Section 60(5) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Paragraph 38, Part 2 of the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022 under which the presiding officer is required to:

“Electronically transmit or transfer the result of the polling unit directly to the Collation System as prescribed by INEC and use the BVAS to upload a scanned copy of the EC8A to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

“Without intending to hold brief for the INEC on the alleged failure to comply with the above provisions, it is our humble view that the above provisions apart from not providing for the consequence being urged on the INEC and the public, are to be read along with the provisions of Section 60 of the Electoral Act, 2022 especially subsections (1), (2). (3) and (4).

The sections read: 60(1). The Presiding Officer shall, after counting the votes at the polling unit, enter the votes scored by each candidate in a form to be prescribed by the commission as the case may be.

(2). The form shall be signed and stamped by the Presiding Officer and countersigned by the candidates or their polling agents where available at the polling unit.

(3) The Presiding Officer shall give to the polling agents and the police officer where available a copy of each of the completed forms after it has been duly signed as provided under subsection (2).

(4) The Presiding 0fficer shall count and announce the result of the polling unit.

They argued that in the light of the above provisions, the requirements for the presiding officer to electronically transmit or transfer the result of the polling unit directly to the Collation System as prescribed by INEC and use the BVAS to upload a scanned copy of the EC8A to IREV “are complimentary/supplementary and not a substitute for the above mandatory provisions for the polling officer to enter the result into Form EC8A.”

They contended further that the Form (EC8A) is the primary source of information on the result of an election in a polling unit.

“Nowhere either in the Electoral Act 2022 or the Regulations and Guidelines referred to above is it provided that failure to transmit or upload polling unit results will lead to suspension of collation of the result or cancellation of the election.

The penalty provided by the Electoral Act is personal to a presiding officer ‘who wilfully contravenes any of the provisions of Section 60 of the Electoral Act’.

“It follows from the above that those calling for the suspension of further collation of the result of the Presidential election or outright cancellation of the election cannot find support under the Electoral Act, 2022 or any Statute. The public is urged to disregard the unlawful call.”

Akintola: E-transmission discretionary

Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Adeniyi Akintola also argued that non-compliance with the e-transmission of results is not a ground for cancellation of such results, because e-transmission is discretionary, not mandatory.

He described the controversy as “the shenanigans of the oppositions on the issue of transmission of results and server.”

Akintola said: “Section 38 of the Electoral Act, 2022 referred to by Dino Melaye and their political parties has nothing to do with the transmission of election results.

“Section 60 (2) of the Electoral Act 2022 that deals with the transmission of results is at the discretion of the INEC; there is no mandatory provision regarding the transmission of results.

“In other words, the mode of transmission of the results is discretionary.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 60 (2) reads ‘Subject to Section 63 of this ACT, voting at an election and transmission of results under this ACT shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission ‘.”

The senior lawyer explained that the rules and regulations made for the election by the INEC are “subject to the Electoral Act. The rules of procedure remain what it is, it is simply a rule.

“Election is a process and the Electoral Act 2022, has made provisions for the steps to take including resort to the judiciary for intervention.

E-transmission: What was the lawmakers’ intention?

President Buhari signed the 2022 Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law on February 25, 2022, after months of withholding assent.

The 2022 Electoral Act repealed Electoral Act No. 6, 2010.

The new Act brought several innovations to the regulation of Federal, State and Area Council elections. Some of the innovations included technological changes in the electoral process, such as the use of smart card readers, electronic voting machines and electronic transmission of election results.

In making its amendments, how did the national assembly want INEC to understand and apply the sections relating to transmission of election results?

According to Senate President Ahmad Lawan, the Electoral Act has no provision for the electronic transmission of results.

Lawan spoke on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, February 28, during a rowdy session following a disagreement over the collation of last Saturday’s presidential election results by INEC in Abuja.

He argued that what was passed by the National Assembly was snapping of election results and transferring them to the server of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Senate President said: “In the Electoral Act that we passed, there is nothing like the electoral transmission. What we have passed is to transfer all the paper works that we normally do while the agents and everybody there have the papers.

“INEC will now scan or snap the result sheets and transfer them. We urge INEC to follow the Electoral Act and other laws on their guidelines.”

INEC’s position

INEC, on October 26, 2022, affirmed its commitment to the transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in real-time for the 2023 elections.

Its Chairman,Prof  Mahmood Yakubu, gave the assurances during the Commission’s quarterly meeting with political parties in Abuja.

“On this note, let me once again reassure Nigerians that there is no going back on the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter accreditation.

“There is no going back on the transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in real-time on Election Day,” Yakubu said.

Last August 21, the Commission again cleared the air on its prescribed mode for its presiding officers to transmit election results.

Its spokesperson, Festus Okoye, said the electoral umpire would continue to adopt electronic transmission of results for this year’s general elections.

Okoye was responding to the criticism which followed an earlier report in which he was quoted saying the results of the forthcoming election would be collated manually.

He explained that his comment was misinterpreted insisting that the electronic transmission of results adopted in the recent off-season governorship elections has come to stay.

He argued that the electronic transmission of election results has boosted the INEC’s credibility as seen in the recently concluded governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

Okoye said the commission had long concluded plans to use the same procedure for this year’s polls elections.

“We wish to reassure Nigerians that the electronic transmission of results has come to stay. It adds to the credibility and transparency of the process when citizens follow polling unit-level results on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal in real time on Election Day. There will be no change or deviation in subsequent elections.

“The entire gamut of result management is provided for in Sections 60, 62 and 64 of the Electoral Act 2022. In line with the provision of the law, the Commission, in April this year, released a detailed clarification of the procedure for transmission, collation and declaration of result which was shared with all stakeholders and uploaded to our website,” he said.

• ’We feel at home in Lagos’

OHANAEZE Ndigboo has pledged its support for re-election of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, saying Igbo people in the state will ensure he is re-elected.

The group’s leadership said  Sanwo-Olu represents everything Ndigbo needs to prosper, praising the governor’s leadership style and Yoruba in the state for making them feel at home.

They spoke yesterday at a news conference with Yoruba Council Worldwide in Ikeja.

President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, Chief Sunday Osai, distanced the group from the statement of Okechukwu Isiguzoro, calling on Sanwo-Olu to resign and inciting Igbo against him, Oba Riliwan Akiolu, and others.

He said Isiguzoro, who claims to be Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s national secretary-general, is unknown to them.

Osai, who described Sanwo-Olu as friendly, peace-loving, and accommodating, sued for a cordial relationship between the governor, residents, and Ndigbo.

 “As president of Lagos State Ohanaeze, I represent the mouthpiece of Ndigbo in Lagos and I debunk the so-called Ohanaeze Ndigbo asking Governor Sanwo-Olu to resign. The governor is friendly to Ndigbo hence, a cordial relationship has existed between Ohanaeze and him. If Ndigbo is rooting for anybody to be governor of Lagos, that person is Sanwo-Olu.

“Sanwo-Olu represents everything Ndigbo needs to prosper; he has been kind, and implemented friendly policies that enable us to execute our businesses and professional calling without fear or favour. So, why should we tell him to resign?

“I thank the governor and I want to let him know that with Ndigbo, he should go and sleep. Ndigbo will gladly vote for him March 11.”

Woman Leader of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Jane Okoro, assured Sanwo-Olu that the women structure in 57 local government areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) will be mobilised to support his re-election. She appealed to women not to allow their children be used as political thugs.

President of Yoruba Council Worldwide, Aare Oladotun Hassan appealed to Igbo residents to reach out to their brothers and sisters to disregard unfounded allegations against the governor. 

He said: “I am appealing to our Igbo people in Lagos to reach out to their brothers and sisters and let them know, and confirm to them, that those spurious allegations were nothing but satanic intrigues and orchestrated lies…”

Leaders of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Lagos State have backed Sanwo-Olu’s re-election.

Rising from a meeting in Ikeja, the leaders urged Christians to vote Sanwo-Olu on March 11.

Present were Apostle Enyinnaya Okwuonu (chairman); Pastor Mahmood Akindejoye (secretary); Bishop Theophilus Ajose, (director – DPG), and others.

There is a sense of uneasiness among Nigerians as they anxiously await the judgment of the Supreme Court in the cases filed by some States to challenge the propriety of the naira swap policy of the Federal Government.

When parties were last in court on February 22, a nine-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice John Okoro, scheduled judgment for March 3 after entertaining final arguments.

The plaintiffs in the cases are Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara, Katsina, Lagos, Cross River, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Sokoto, Rivers, Kano, Niger, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Plateau and Abia states.

Upon an application by Bayelsa and Edo states, the court, on February 15 joined the two states as co-defendants with the origin sole defendant, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

In his final submission, lawyer to Kaduna and Kogi states, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN), He urged the court to grant all the reliefs being sought in his clients’s suit and dismiss the notices of objection filed by the AGF and Bayelsa State.

Lawyer to Zamfara State, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), who adopted the arguments by Mustapha, said his client also filed an application on February 17 praying the court to set aside the directive issued by President Muhammadu Buhari on February 16 directing that only N200 notes should be in use, in disregard of the pending order of the court.

Owonikoko added that the naira redesign policy of the Federal Government was at variance with the provision of Section 17(2)(c) of the Constitution, which says the governmental actions shall be humane.

He added that the policy has occasioned hardship on the people.

Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), the Attorney General of Lagos State, who represented the state, said his state filed several documents in the case.

One of such documents, he said, is a motion seeking an order prohibiting the defendant/respondent (the AGF) from being granted audience before this court until the defendant or his principal, the President of Nigeria, comply with the order made by this court on the 8th of February, directing that the old notes remain legal tender until the determination of the suit.

Onigbanjo said the suit by Lagos was distinct from the one filed by other states in that it seeks reliefs pertaining to the Lagos State and not the people of the state.

He said the suit was informed by the fact that the naira redesign was affecting the government of Lagos State in the performance of its functions and meeting it’s responsibilities.

The Lagos AG urged the court to deny audience to the AGF and grant the prayers sought in the suit.

Samuel Ologunorisa (SAN), who represented Katsina; Shuaibu Abuwa (SAN) for Cross River; Tunde Afe Babalola SAN, for Ogun); O. O. Olowolafe SAN for Ekiti; Charles Titiloye SAN for Ondo and Georgina Udeh for Sokoto State, all urged the court to dismiss the objection raise against the suit by the AGF and Bayelsa State and proceeded to grant all the reliefs sought in the suit by Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states.

In their separate cases that were consolidated with the case by Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states; Rivers, Kano, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Abia argued that the policy was unconstitutional and should be voided.

Kanu Agabi (SAN), Tijani Gazali (SAN), Kenneth Mozia (SAN) and Audu Anuga (SAN) who represented the AGF, Bayelsa and Edo states urged the court to dismiss the suit for want of jurisdiction and for being incompetent.

Agabi, who also argued that necessary parties were not
before the court, faulted the exclusion of the governor of the CBN as a party in the suit.

He noted that references were made to the CBN 32 times in the plaintiffs’ originating summons and supporting affidavit, while seven reliefs were sought against the apex bank, which was not made a party in the suit.

Agabi, who said his client filed a motion on notice seeking the dismissal of the Form 48 issued on the AGF and the Governor of CBN, added that an affidavit to show cause why Form 48 should be set aside has also been filed.

He argued that President Buhari did not flout the order of the court in his February 16 broadcast, insisting that it was a necessary intervention.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi has vowed to challenge the outcome of Saturday’s poll in court. 

The former Anambra Governor stated this in an ongoing press conference in Abuja.

Read Also: Beyond Peter Obi’s Lagos victory

Obi said he would not be pressured by anybody to abandon his quest to seek redress in court. 

He lost the presidential election to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu who polled 8.8m votes.

Details shortly…

The Gbaramatu Traditional Council in Warri, Delta State has expressed joy over the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as president-elect. 

Gbaramatu is an important Ijaw Kingdom in the Niger Delta and homestead of prominent activists, including Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) and Delta Deputy Governor, Barr Kingsley Otuaro. among others. 

The council, which honoured Tinubu as Iyalawei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, while congratulating the President-elect, attributed his resounding victory at the polls to decades of good works and well-planned strategy. 

Read Also: Tinubu’s victory, a win for democracy – Matawalle

Four prominent leaders Chief W. O Okirika (JP), JGB Ari (JP), Chief Godspower Gbenekama (JP), Chief Nelson Ogelegbanwei (JP), Bolowei, Puwei, Fiyewei and Tonwei of the kingdom respectively, who signed the council’s statement, described Tinubu as “one of their own”. 

Gbaramatu kingdom, during the then-APC candidate’s visit to the kingdom, had honored him as Iyalawei (Very Important Person) of the kingdom, noting that he was the only aspirant that had visited Gbaramatu.

In the statement on Thursday, they said: “The Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs in Delta State heartily felicitates with one of her own, the Iyelawei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his emergence as the President-Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the just concluded February 25, 2023, Presidential Election.

“Undoubtedly, the President-Elect tremendously toiled and strategized for his well-deserved victory.”

“We beseech our tenacious President-Elect to put his team together quickly and hit the ground running, as Nigerians have high expectations.” 

• Young Nigerians will get full attention
• Tinubu promises good governance, functional economy, security
• President-elect, VP-elect get CoR

Nigeria’s teeming boisterous youths got an assurance of full attention from President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday.

Tinubu spoke on how his in-coming administration will address issues concerning young Nigerians at two events in Abuja.

“Now, to you, the young people of this country, I hear you loud and clear,” he said in his acceptance speech, following his declaration as winner of the election. 

He said his victory was for all, and that those who did not vote for him are as important as those who did.

Also speaking after receiving his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Tinubu said: “To you the people, especially the youths, I will work day and night. 

“I will work to the utmost of my ability to make Nigeria better. I understand your pains, your yearnings for good governance, a functional economy and a safe nation that protects you and your future.

 “I am aware that for many of you, Nigeria has become a place of abiding challenges limiting your ability to see a bright future for yourselves.

“Remodeling our precious national home requires the harmonious efforts of all of us, especially the youth. 

“Working together, we shall move this nation as never before.”

INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu presented the certificate of return to Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Security had their hands full controlling the crowd of supporters who besieged the venue to witness the presentation.

At about 3.10 pm when it became apparent that they may not gain access to the hall, they forced the door leading into the African Hall venue open and entered.

It was an electrifying moment when the president-elect and his wife Oluremi walked into the hall, accompanied by Shettima and his wife Nana.

The chant of ‘On your mandate we shall stand’ rent the air, as the crowd surged forward to either catch a glimpse of Tinubu or touch him.

Those who witnessed the presentation include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege; House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila; Governors Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Babatunde Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano).

Also present were Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu; Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase; and former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba; National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno; former APC National Chairman/senator-elect Adams Oshiomhole; British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Wendy Campbell Laing, other members of the diplomatic corps and APC stalwarts also witnessed the event.

After collecting his certificate of return, Tinubu walked to Osinbajo and gave him a warm embrace.

For the president-election, his victory is for everyone, no matter the political leaning.

He said: “For this to be a victory at all, it cannot simply be a victory for one man or even one party. 

“It must become a victory for all Nigerians who are committed to a greater society.

“I know many did not vote for me. And you are disappointed that your candidate is not where I now stand. I understand your hurt. To you, I extend the embrace and comfort of one family member to another.

“This great project called Nigeria beckons to us all. It is bigger and more important than any partisan divide.”

Tinubu urged his opponents and rival supporters to join him “to pull the nation through”.

“I ask you to come in so that we may begin the task of rebuilding our national home together, day by day, brick by brick. Where there is poverty. 

“Let us create prosperity and jobs. Where there is hunger. Let us feed the people, chasing hunger from their midst.

“Where there is now scarcity, let us rediscover abundance. Where there is brutality, may we replace it with brotherhood. Where violence stalks the land, may we establish peace.

“Where others have erected temples to hatred and bias, may we construct permanent monuments to compassion and abiding affection.

“History will record this day as the moment when I officially stood before you as president-elect.”

Tinubu urged youths to keep the hope of someday leading the country alive.

Read Also: Tinubu, Atiku, Obi: The value of spread

“Very soon, this nation shall witness a young person standing before you holding this great symbol of democracy and national leadership. 

“We shall see a woman standing before you, holding this certificate as its owner. 

“We shall experience someone from a tribe that many people have tried to dismiss as unqualified for this high office.

“By dint of hard work, determination and unyielding belief in a noble endeavour, you can achieve the best of things.

“Young people are listening to me right now who shall one day be the leaders of our precious and exceptional democratic republic,” he said.

Earlier in his acceptance speech at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council headquarters in Abuja, Tinubu vowed to provide quality leadership.

Humbled by his election, he said he would serve to the best of his ability.

Addressing a large crowd of elated party supporters, Tinubu said: “I am profoundly humbled that you have elected me to serve as the 16th president of our beloved republic. 

“This is a shining moment in the life of any man and an affirmation of our democratic existence. From my heart, I say thank you.”

He added: “Whether you are Batified, Atikulated, Obidient, Kwankwasiyya, or have any other political affiliation, you voted for a better, more hopeful nation and I thank you for your participation and dedication to our democracy.

“You decided to place your trust in the democratic vision of a Nigeria founded on shared prosperity and one nurtured by the ideals of unity, justice, peace and tolerance. Renewed hope has dawned in Nigeria.”

Promising to do his best, he said: “In return, I will give you my utmost as your next president and Commander-in-Chief. 

“Peace, unity and prosperity shall be the cornerstones of the society we intend to build. 

“When you gaze upon what we shall accomplish in the coming years, you shall speak with pride at being a Nigerian.”

Tinubu preached post-election peace, urging those who may be dissatisfied to seek legal redress.

The former Lagos State Governor said: “I know some candidates will be hard put to accept the election results. It is your right to seek legal recourse. 

“What is neither right nor defensible is for anybody to resort to violence. 

“Any challenge to the electoral outcome should be made in a court of law, and not in the streets.

“I also ask my supporters to let peace reign and tensions fade. We ran a principled, peaceful and progressive campaign. The aftermath of our campaign must be as benign.

“Yes, there are divisions amongst us that should not exist. Many people are uncertain, angry and hurt; I reach out to every one of you. 

“Let the better aspects of our humanity step forward at this fateful moment. Let us begin to heal and bring calm to our nation.”

The President-elect was flanked by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, his running mate and Vice President-elect Shettima and other dignitaries.

He acknowledged that the election was not without issues.

“We commend INEC for running a free and fair election. 

“The lapses that did occur were relatively few and were immaterial to the outcome. 

“With each cycle of elections, we steadily perfect this process so vital to our democratic life,” he said.

Tinubu added: “To my fellow candidates, former VP Atiku, former governor Kwankwaso, former governor Obi and all others, I extend the hand of friendship. 

“This was a competitive, high-spirited campaign. You have my utmost respect.”

He also acknowledged the support from President Muhammadu Buhari who led his campaign council as chairman, stressing that “he has shown that he is a truly patriotic person.”

APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and National Secretary Otunba Iyiola Omisore led members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to the ceremony.

Also in attendance were Gbajabiamila, Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu; and governors Ganduje, Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Sanwo-Olu, Mohammed Badaru (Jigawa), Abiodun, Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Simon Lalong (Plateau).

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), former governors Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff (Borno) and Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) were also present, amongst other party stalwarts.

From Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja  Sanni Onogu,Tony Akowe, Jide Orintunsin, Abuja, Justina Asishana,  Minna and Alao Abiodun

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and  Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila yesterday congratulated Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for emerging winner of the February 25 presidential election.

Tinunu was also congratulated by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida;  Deputy Speaker of the House Ahmed Idris Wase, Deputy Whip of the Senate,  Aliyu  Abdullahi,  the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the Senate, the All Progressives Congress(APC), United Kingdom (UK) French President Emmanuel Macron and  Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).  

While Buhari said the presidential poll reflected the will of Nigerians, Osinbajo said Tinubu’s  victory was a reward for his “consistent fidelity to progressive and welfarist ideals.”

To Lawan, the victory affirmed the trust of Nigerians in the  APC  and to Gbajabiamila, it was a testament to Tinubu’s years of building bridges across the country.

Buhari, in a  statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity,  Garba Shehu, said  Tinubu’s victory indicated that he was the choice of Nigerians to take them to the next level.

He noted that the electoral process, this time round,  was particularly unique because neither Tinubu nor himself won their home states.

The development, according to him, is an indication that Nigeria’s democracy is ripening.

Buhari said: “I congratulate His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory. Elected by the people, he is the best person for the job. I shall now work with him and his team to ensure an orderly handover of power.

“The results reveal democracy’s ripening in our country. Never has the electoral map shifted so drastically in one cycle. In the presidential elections, states in all regions across the nation changed colour. Some of you may have noticed my home state among them.

“The winning candidate did not carry his own home state either. That happens during a competitive election. Votes and those that cast them cannot be taken for granted. Each must be earned. Competition is good for our democracy. There is no doubt the people’s decision has been rendered in the results we look at today.

“That is not to say the exercise was without fault. For instance, there were technical problems with the electronic transmission of the results. Of course, there will be areas that need work to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure. However, none of the issues registered represents a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the elections.

The President, however, called on all candidates who participated in the election process to keep faith with the peace agreement they signed days ahead of the elections and to refrain from any action capable of undermining the democratic process.

“I know some politicians and candidates may not agree with this view. That too is fine. If any candidate believes they can prove the fraud they claim is committed against them, then bring forward the evidence. If they cannot, then we must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will – no matter how hard that may be for the losers to accept. If they feel the need to challenge, please take it to the courts, not to the streets,” Buhari added.

 In his congratulatory message, Osinbajo said” “In your (Tinunu) previous years of public service, you have demonstrated a consistent fidelity to progressive and welfarist ideals, and an ability to build bridges across several divides.

“These attributes are needed especially at this time, to reach out to disaffected sections of our society and to meet the aspirational expectations of our young people who have shown such a strong desire to impact our democratic process in a positive way.

“I trust that they will not allow whatever setbacks they may have experienced to truncate their strong desire to determine the future course of our national journey.

“Through thick and thin, we must all remain focused on the objective of birthing the Nigeria of our dreams.

The Vice-President, who  also sent a congratulatory to Vice-President-elect Kashim Shettima, prayed to God to help    the newly elected leaders “fulfil the progressive mandate of our Party, as well as your various plans to improve the security, welfare and happiness of all Nigerians.”

Osinbajo had after presiding over the weekly Federal Executive Council(FEC)  led ministers to physically congratulate the President-elect, his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Shettima.

Later, the Vice President attended the formal presentation of the Certificates of Return to  Tinubu and Shettima by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

  Lawan, who said that the election was hard-fought, added that the victory would be savoured for a long time by the   APC, its supporters and all lovers of democracy.

“This victory affirms the trust of the Nigerian people in our great party, the APC and its candidates. However, it is also a challenge to us to continue the progressive development of our dear nation, Nigeria, in line with the agenda of our party,” he said.

Lawan promised that the Senate would cooperate with the President-elect in the transition process until the end of its tenure on June 11.

 Lawan had at yesterday’s plenary requested his colleagues to attend the presentation of certificates of return to Tinunu and Shettima. 

“We pray that this country will see more and better development and progress and we also pray that the 10th Senate will provide the kind of support that the President-Elect will need for the betterment of our country,” he added.

Also in Abuja, Speaker Gbajabiamila, said “the victory of the president-elect   is a victory for democracy.”

  ”I have said time and again that Tinubu is the best for Nigeria at this time, and God has answered our prayers,” he said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi. 

The Speaker, who expressed confidence that Tinubu would be magnanimous in victory, urged Nigerians to support him to deliver on his campaign promises.

Deputy Speaker Wase said that Tinubu’s victory was a testament to the acceptance of his ideologies of Renewed Hope as the bedrock for national rebirth. 

“To me, it is a victory for every well-meaning Nigerian and it is the harbinger of great things to happen in our country,” he added. 

*IBB: I’m  happy Tinunu won in my lifetime

 In his statement,  Babangida said that Tinubu would create a new Nigeria.

Babangida, who expressed joy that Tinunu emerged Presiden-elect in his lifetime,  said he (Tinubu) has ”what it takes to take Nigeria to the next level.”

“It is a thing of joy that this is happening in my lifetime. I can confidently say that Tinubu is a good man for the job. 

“I have no doubt that Tinubu would perform as the President of Nigeria. For some of us, who have been there before, I know that there is still more work to be done, and I believe that Tinubu has what it takes to take Nigeria to the next level.

“We have much potential as a nation. What we need is a good direction so that we can continue to be seen as the giant of Africa. Indeed our best is yet to come, but we can get to where we ought to be with determination and commitment.

  ”Tinubu is coming from the background of a performer, who loves his people with all his hearts and who knows how to put a round peg in a round hole”,  the former military ruler said in a  statement by his media office. 

Babangida, who commended INEC  for the success of the exercise,    urged Nigerians to join hands with Tinubu to rebuild the nation.

He also appealed to other candidates to see the emergence of Tinubu as the will of God.

 ”This is a bright moment for Nigeria, we have to take our destiny into our hands and make things work for us as a nation. We cannot continue to do things the same way, and I believe that God will make things work for this country again,” he added.  

*FEC calls for calm

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) rose from its meeting yesterday with a call on Nigerians to eschew all actions capable of negatively impacting the democratic process.

 It also admonished those dissatisfied with the outcome of the poll to seek appropriate legal redress.

The calls were contained in a statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF  Boss Mustapha.

In the statement in which the council also congratulated   Tinubu and  Shettima, Mustapha expressed confidence that the incoming administration would build on the legacies of Buhari.  

 The statement reads in part: “The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, Presidential Transition Council, Boss Mustapha (CFR), on behalf of Federal Executive Council (FEC), congratulate the President-elect, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President-elect, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima on their victory at the just concluded presidential election as announced by  INEC.

“FEC notes that the President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a seasoned administrator, a technocrat of monumental proportion, an astute politician and a committed party man, whose unrivalled determination is to move the country forward.

“It has the confidence that the incoming administration will build on the legacies of the outgoing administration for a guaranteed, united, peaceful, prosperous and virile nation.

“In this regard, FEC calls on Nigerians to eschew violence and other negative acts capable of eroding the gains of the present democratic process, while urging aggrieved political parties to employ legal means to seek redress as appropriate.

“Also, the Chairman of the Presidential Transition Council looks forward to working with the incoming administration and its team during the transition period.”

APC  to Tinubu: Your victory   well deserved

The ruling APC  described the victory of   Tinubu and  Shettima as well deserved  

APC   also said the renewal of the mandate of the APC-led administration was an indication that it remained the preferred choice of Nigerians.

This was contained in a  statement to the President-elect and his Vice President-elect by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.

Dedicating the victory to the Nigerians,   APC  noted that the support of the people resulted in a renewed mandate for the party.

The statement reads: “the ruling  APC has described the victory of President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President-Elect, Senator Kashim Shettima as well-deserved victory at the just-concluded presidential polls.

“This election was vigorously contested like no other in the history of our democracy, and it witnessed the determined participation of millions of our fellow compatriots. Our country and democracy are richer and stronger together in this strident onward march into a more vibrant future of opportunities, wholesome and transformative development.”

The party also commended  Buhari for providing the springboard that paved the way for  Tinubu’s victory and   INEC for conducting a free and credible presidential election.

It added:  ”We also applaud the armed forces and security agencies for their vigilance, and for keeping the perform ace and maintaining law and order during this important exercise.  We are equally thankful to local and international observer missions for their roles in monitoring this process to its conclusion.

“We dedicate this victory to all Nigerians for their courage, boundless energy, resilience and abiding love of country.”

The party also acknowledged the contributions of all other presidential candidates maintaining that their efforts at contesting further strengthened and consolidated democratic values in the country.

 *UK PM, ECOWAS  hail ex-governor 

United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed Tinubu for his victory, saying he looks forward to working with him.

In a statement on his official Twitter page, he said: “Congratulations to @officialABAT on his victory in Nigeria.  

“The UK-Nigeria relationship remains strong.

“I look forward to working together to grow our security and trade ties, opening up opportunities for businesses and creating prosperity in both our countries.

ECOWAS, in its  congratulatory message  to Tinubu, appealed “to all the stakeholders to promote peace and to use constitutional means to address any grievances they may have.”

The  commission said: “On behalf of His Excellency General Umaru Sissoco Embalo, chair of the ECIWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and the entire ECOWAS Leadership, we wish to convey our heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Tinubu said in Daura, Katsina State that some world leaders, including President Emmanuel Macron of France, had called to congratulate him. 

As this year’s presidential election has clearly shown, victory is only achievable through a strategic, broad based cross-regional support for any candidate running on a truly national party, Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports

The lessons of the February 25 presidential elections are very instructive. No discerning politician or political party can ignore them without severe consequences on poll day.

In Nigeria, a heterogenous country divided into five diverse, unequal but politically potent geo-political zones, no presidential candidate can triumph during elections without the collaboration of, at least, three zones.

In the Second Republic, the aborted Third Republic and the current Fourth Republic, presidential victory has often reflected national diversity and spread. While the factors of ethnicity and religion cannot be discarded, no candidate can hope to win by solely and exclusively leaning on the numerical strength of a single ethnic group, no matter how cohesive the tribe appears to be, or on a lone religious pillar.

Three of the four presidential candidates-Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP)-tried to meet the criterion of spread in varying degrees.

 However, only President-elect Tinubu satisfied the condition more than others.

 In his native Southwest, he won four of the six states-Oyo, Ondo, Ogun and Ekiti.  Oyo gave him 449,884 votes, which was the highest in the zone.

 Oyo is a PDP state governed by Seyi Makinde, an engineer and member of aggrieved G-5 Governors  locked in deep rift with Atiku and National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu. The shift in voting pattern in the state may have been due to overtures made to the state party leadership by the APC.

 Although Tinubu surprisingly lost in Lagos and Osun, which were won by Atiku, he won in four Northern Central states of Kwara, Kogi, Benue and Niger. He lost in Plateau and Nasarawa.

Many observers did not pay adequate attention to Benue ahead of the poll. The PDP chapter was divided. Governor Sam Ortom, a G5 member,  supported Obi, but Ayu was with Atiku. There is no division in Benue APC under the leadership of Senator George Akume, Special Duties Minister. The governorship candidate, a Catholic priest, is also a vital asset. Tinubu got 310,468 votes in the state as against Atiku’s 130, 081.

In  Northcentral,Tinubu was the leader with his 1,760,977 votes. He was trailed by Atiku, who got 1,162,087. Obi scored 1,415,557 votes.

But, Obi, in his own right, is also a hero of the contest. He snatched Plateau and Nasarawa from Tinubu and Atiku.

Tinubu scored more votes in Northcentral than Atiku. The magic in the three zones of the North was the governors’ backing for zoning, rotation or power shift. 

Tinubu’s votes also spread across the Northwest, made up of seven states. The APC standard bearer, who won in Jigawa and Zamfara, made very impressive showing in Sokoto, Kebbi,  Katsina, Kaduna, and most especially Kano.

Atiku, who won in Kaduna, Kebbi, Katsina and Sokoto, still scored less than Tinubu in Northwest.

In the Northwest, Atiku got 2,329,540 while Tinubu who only won in Kebbi and Jigawa got 2,652,235 votes. What assisted Tinubu greatly was Kano’s 517,341 votes. Atiku came third with 131,716.

The bulk of Kano votes, 997,279, went to the candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.  But, according to analysts, they were  wasted. The candidate did not win beyond Kano. The former governor of Kano did not really appeal to other Northwest states.

It is also noteworthy that Obi was rejected in the Northwest. He got 350, 182 votes, a far cry from the feats recorded by Atiku and Tinubu.

The analysis of the voting pattern in the Northwest shows that while Tinubu came first in Jigawa and Zamfara, he came second in Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, and Kaduna.

Northeast:

The Northeast was perceived as Atiku’s stronghold. He lived to expectation in Adamawa,  his home state, where he got 417,611 votes. He also led in Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe and Taraba. APC came second in the region, although Tinubu only won in Borno. He came second in Yobe and Bauchi.

Between past and present:

Tinubu’s feat  across the six regions was not a departure from the ill-fated Third Republic experience of the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 poll, the late billionaire businessman Chief Moshood Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). Abiola’s victory, almost 30 years ago, and just like now, was a product of bridge-building across zones.

The picture contrasts sharply with the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s experience in the First and Second republics. Although a brilliant politician, Awo’s Action Group (AG) could not fly in federal election because it was, to a large extent, Western Nigerian-based. Under the Westminster model, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), which was domiciled in the Eastern Region, and the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) of Sir Ahmadu Bello and Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, which dominated the Northern Region, teamed up in the Federal Parliament to form a national government.

In the Second Republic, a similar scenario was enacted. Then, Nigeria was made up of 19 states. The late Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) had majority support in the North(Sokoto, Niger, Benue, Bauchi, Gongola, and in the South-Cross River and Rivers. He had 12 two third of 19. Awo’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)only won in five states of Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Bendel and Lagos. Zik’s Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) won in Imo, Anambra and Plateau. The NPN/NPP accord meant essentially that two regions collaborated to form the government.

Spread:

Why Tinubu’s vote spread is more outstanding is that apart from maintaining a lead in the Southwest, Northcentral and Northwest, he also came second in the Northeast, Southeast and Southsouth. He could never have relied on Southwest vote alone. The support he garnered outside his native zone became more important. His party did well in terms of plurality.

In contrast, Atiku only won in his native Northeast, where Tinubu also rivalled him.

Southeast:

Southeast was the stronghold of PDP before the Obi phenomenon. But, the table turned against the party. LP was the clear leader, despite its lack of structure. Obi’s structure is the emotion of his fanatical followers. Thus, he polled 1,960,589 votes.

Surprisingly, APC also beat PDP. While APC secured 127,605 votes, PDP got 91,198 votes.

There are puzzles: did APC and PDP members dump their parties for LP? What mobilisation did PDP, in particular, do in Abia and Imo, and APC in Ebonyi and Imo, where APC governors hold sway?

Southsouth:

Obi got the highest vote in the Southsouth- 1,210,675, defeating Atiku, who got 717,909 and Tinubu, who scored 799,957. This is also curious, the zone being the stronghold of the PDP. But, PDP trailed behind LP and APC.

Kwankwaso:

Kwankwaso had served as House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, governor and minister. But, he was not really in the presidential  really. His platform was weak. His involvement in the historic contest was to the detriment of both PDP and APC. But, not being able to penetrate other zones, his candidature could not fly. He is a credible politician and lover of his Kano people.

Tinubu:

Tinubu was more prepared. A democrat and more matured politician, he is a crowd puller. He has a knack for offering credible leadership.

A household name since he was elected senator in the Third Republic, he was a notable pro-democracy crusader. He was the ‘opposition leader’ between 2003 and 2015, bold, brave and fearless.

The president-elect had collaborated in the past with Atiku in the defunct Action Congress (AC) and APC, and Kwankwaso at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and APC.

 Tinubu has a reputation for thriving in adversity. How he usually triumphed over vicissitudes of life, and politics, was an act of God.

He had spread his tentacles to the six zones. He had built bridges. He may have started the journey to Aso Villa, since he was governor of Lagos between 1999 and 2007. He told Nigerians that it was his long life ambition to serve the country.

Tinubu had honed his skills of dialogue and persuasion, consensus building, tolerance, accommodation, and ‘give and take.’ His greatest attribute is forgiving spirit.

Unlike Southwest leaders of first and second republics, the President-elect is principled, but not rigid. He had make sacrifices in the past for his political family to survive. In 2007, Tinubu had to forgo his senatorial ambition. His loyalist, Ganiyu Solomon, a member of House of Representatives, became the Lagos West senatorial candidate. He won.

A believer in consultation, debate and power of ideas, Tinubu can hardly stay alone for five minutes, except he is sleeping. He is a powerful organiser, mobiliser, thinker and strategist.

But, he lost his base to Obi at the presidential election. What was responsible?

The kingmaker went to Abuja to get the ultimate crown; federal power. He was absent from home. Also, his disciple, Senator Adeola Solomon, fondly called Yayi by admirers, had relocated to Ogun State where he ran for the Senate and won. Was that why Alimoso fell in the battle?

As predicted by commentators, the flawed Naira redesign and fuel scarcity took their tolls in cosmopolitan Lagos. The youths rebelled. Party members, supporters and other residents refused to vote. There were aloofness and apathy.  Some Christians refused to be pacified. Detractors intensified their propaganda in the social media. It was effective.

Yet, the presidential election results never predicted the outcome of National Assembly elections. The three senators and many House of Representatives candidates were returned elected.

Atiku:

The former vice president is a veteran. But, his experience was not properly deployed. Although he had support outside his Northwest zone, it was inadequate.

His mismanagement of the G5 crisis contributed to his defeat. It cost him victory in Oyo and Rivers, the base of the arrowhead, Governor Nyesom Wike.

G5 demanded  Ayu’s resignation. It was ignored. To observers, the governors were more of electoral assets than the national chairman, who at the end could not deliver his state.

Obi:

Obi, until he hurriedly borrowed LP as platform, he was a PDP chieftain. His participation made PDP to lose vital support in the Southeast and Southsouth. Ultimately, Obi’s ambition greatly assisted Tinubu.

Many factors also accounted for Obi’s rising profile. He suddenly became the idol of the youths. He also leaned on the factor of ethnicity. Indeed, religion was also exploited as a tool.

Obi mounted a divisive campaign that was effective, but marginally successful. He took the polity by storm without a formidable structure, winning the highest number of votes from Southsouth states of Edo, Delta andCross River, and Southeast states of Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia.

He was making a point in the Southeast. This is Igboland.  No other candidate could penetrate the region. Those who also voted for Obi outside Southeast, particularly in Lagos, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Jos were majorly Igbo, and some Christians.

Instructively, when Obi stormed Lagos for campaigns, he only visited Igbo-dominated areas like Alaba Market, Trade Fair Complex, and spare parts market in Matori, Mushin.

But, Obi could not achieve the required spread.

The lesson remains instructive. Home support without effective partnership and collaboration with other regions cannot lead to the actualisation of presidential ambition in Nigeria.  

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday hosted President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima in his Daura country home, Katsina State.

 The duo were in Daura to present their certificates of return to Buhari, who led the All Progressives Congress (APC) to victory in his capacity as chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council (PPC).

 They were accompanied by members of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the party’s National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

 According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari’s guests were on a “thank you visit” visit to the President after the party’s victory at last Saturday’s presidential election.

 The certificates were handed over to them yesterday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.

 Overwhelmed with emotions after seeing the “phenomenal election result,” President Buhari kept repeating, “My Good Lord, My Good Lord,” “Fantastic!

 “We are very lucky,” the President uttered as he warmly clasped the hand of the President-elect, “there were no problems. No blood shed, no accidents… we have God Almighty to thank for this.”

 The President said he was pleased that the people chose the APC and its candidates, affirming through this, their desire that the momentum of development under the administration continues.

Read Also: Buhari, Tinubu, Obi, Atiku, Shettima, win units; Obasanjo, Obaseki, others defeated

 He commended supporters of the supporters and the PCC for the “historic win,” which he said would never have been possible without discipline, commitment and hard work.

 Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in an interview, said that as a loyal party man, he came to present the certificate to the President as the party leader and to commend him for his efforts to support democracy in Africa.

 He said: “This is the largest democracy in Africa. We could not have done any better. We are lucky, there is no accident and no matter how provocative a defeat is, we have to tolerate it if we are democrats. We have a nation to build.”

 With Tinubu and Shettima were Senator Adamu, the founding chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, governors Aminu Masari (Katsina); Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna); David Umahi (Ebonyi); Bello Matawalle (Zamfara); Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa).

 Others were Governors Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger); Simon Lalong (Plateau); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and the former bovernors Ali Modu Sheriff (Borno) and Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara).

 Also in the team were ministers Sunday Dare (Youth and Sports) and Lai Mohammed (Information, Culture and Tourism); Kashim Imam; Wale Tinubu; Katsina State Deputy Governor Mannir Yakubu and Kaduna State Speaker Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented the Certificate of Return to the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at a well-attended ceremony in Abuja

The President-elect arrived the Africa Hall of the International conference centre at exactly 3.27 pm.

Security men at the main entrance into the International Conference Centre had a challenge controlling the crowd of supporters who besieged the place to witness the presentation.

At around 3.10 pm when it became obvious that they may not gain access, they forced the door leading into the African Hall venue of the presentation.

Many of them refused to use the seats provided at the gallery, insisting on entering the main hall to be part of the programme.

Read Also: ‘Emilokan’: I’ve learnt power of words from Tinubu – Falegan

Those who witnessed the presentation were Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege; Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and members of the National Assembly

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Senator Abdullahi Adamu; Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Speaker  Ahmed Idris Wase and former Chairman of the (EFCC) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu

After collecting his certificate of return, Asiwaju Tinubu went for a worm embrace with Vice President Prof Yomi Osibanjo while Vice President-elect Senator Kashim Shettima was also presented with his certificate of return by the INEC Chairman.