ABUJA, Feb 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Muhammadu Buhari was re-elected Nigeria’s president after taking an unassailable lead of more than four million votes.
Buhari, 76, had an unassailable lead although the last states yet to be declared, but making it impossible for his nearest rival, Atiku Abubakar, to win.
The former military ruler was first elected as civilian president of Africa’s most populous nation and leading oil producer in 2015.
Supporters of Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) had gathered to celebrate at his campaign headquarters in the capital, Abuja, even before the final results were announced.
Some sang “We’re popping champagne!” while Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo was seen in a video clip singing “Up we go!” in a reference to Buhari and his “Next Level” campaign slogan.
Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, posted a photograph of the president on Twitter, watching the results on television. “#BuhariHasWon,” he wrote.
To win the presidency, a candidate needs a majority of votes nationwide and at least 25 percent of support in two-thirds of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Initial results showed Buhari won 15,191,847 votes (56 percent) while Abubakar, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won 11,262,978 votes (41 percent).
Buhari won in 19 states — including the two most populous, Lagos and Kano — while Abubakar was victorious in 17 states and the FCT.
There was no immediate official concession from Abubakar, whose party had earlier called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to halt the count, citing irregularities.
In 2015, president Goodluck Jonathan won plaudits for conceding to Buhari in a phone call, when the results indicated he could not win.
The concession is acknowledged as having prevented a repeat of the political violence that has marked previous elections in Nigeria, in which hundreds of people have been killed.
This year’s election — the sixth in the 20 years since the return of civilian rule after decades of military government — was initially scheduled for Feb 16.
But INEC postponed them for one week just hours before polls were due to open, citing logistical difficulties in delivering ballot boxes and other election materials.
The vote was marred by violence, including 53 deaths, according to the Situation Room, an umbrella group of more than 70 civil society groups that monitored polling.
A total of 72.7 million people were eligible to vote in the presidential poll as well as parliamentary elections held at the same time. — NNN-AGENCIES
