Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was proclaimed the victor of the race by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after receiving 8,794,726 votes, about two million more than his nearest opponent, former vice president Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Abubakar, 76, who has already campaigned for president six times, received 6,984,520 votes, while Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), who in less than a year galvanized youthful voters in a way that some have called unprecedented, came in second with 6,101,533, received 6,101,533 votes.
Yet, Atiku and Obi have both criticized the presidential election and promised to sue to overturn the outcome.
The US ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said in a statement on Sunday that while some Nigerians are celebrating gains they feel were earned and hard-won, many are unhappy and frustrated with the results.
“It is clear that the electoral process as a whole on February 25 failed to meet Nigerians’ expectations,” the US Ambassador stated.
“As I said numerous times prior to the elections, Nigeria has accomplished much in just the two-plus decades since the return to democracy, and a gradual improvement in the quality of its elections in that time constitutes one of those accomplishments.
“The people of Nigeria demonstrated their dedication to democracy on February 25, but there are many angry and frustrated Nigerians as well as many who are celebrating victories they believe were hard-fought and well-earned.
“In the coming days, it will be important for the future of this country that Nigerians not let their differences divide them, and that the legally established process for resolving challenges to the election be allowed to take its course.”
Prior to the March 11 governorship elections, the US envoy urged INEC to act quickly to address issues that can be fixed. He also urged the electoral body to conduct a more thorough investigation into the issues that arose during the previous elections and what can be done to address them.
She also praised Nigerians for exhibiting their commitment to democracy and requested that INEC educate the Nigerian public about the measures it is taking.
Leonard praised Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar for their determination to run for president in a legitimate manner and Bola Tinubu, the president-elect, for recognizing their right to do so.
