Nigeria's New President Takes Office Amid Economic and Security Challenges

Bola Tinubu, aged 71, has been officially sworn in as the President of Nigeria in an important ceremony held in the capital city of Abuja.

Tinubu emerged as the winner of the February election, offering a promise to restore hope to the nation, but he faces formidable hurdles including economic and security challenges.

Taking the reins from two-term President Muhammadu Buhari, Tinubu steps into a situation marked by a high inflation rate, record levels of debt, and an alarming rise in cases of kidnap-for-ransom incidents.

The outcome of his victory is being challenged in court by his closest rivals, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi who allege manipulation in the electoral process.

The swearing-in ceremony in Abuja has attracted dignitaries from across the continent, underscoring the significance of this pivotal moment for Nigeria.

The country grapples with a concerning economic landscape, with inflation currently at its highest level in nearly 18 years. One in three Nigerians faces unemployment, while the vital oil industry is experiencing a decline in output.

Tinubu must swiftly tackle the task of winning over those who did not vote for him, as he seeks to address the complex issues facing the nation. As a trained accountant and a former two-term governor of Lagos, he brings a wealth of experience to the table.

Tinubu is known for revitalizing Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub, a challenging feat in itself, which has acquainted him with the intricacies of Nigeria's pressing needs.

Supporters of the new president assert that he will adopt a technocratic and thoughtful approach to governance, applying the same successful strategies that propelled Lagos forward.

However, opponents of Tinubu argue that he has lost the vigor he once displayed in his efforts to modernize Lagos forcefully. They question his ability to tackle the nation's challenges with the same drive and vitality.

The outcome of Tinubu's presidency may hinge on the ongoing legal battle initiated by his closest rivals. The election tribunal is set to commence the hearing of the main arguments on Tuesday, with a verdict expected within the next six months.

This legal dispute adds a layer of uncertainty to the new administration, underscoring the importance of the court's decision in shaping Nigeria's political landscape.

Sierra Leone EC announces dates for campaigns ahead of country's general elections

The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone has set Saturday, June 24, 2023, as the day for its general elections across the country.

Ahead of the election, the EC has announced the opening of campaign period for the presidential, parliamentary and local council elections from Tuesday 23rd May to 22nd June 2023.

This comes after close consultations by the Electoral Commission with registered political parties and candidates contesting in the upcoming general elections, the EC said.

In a press release signed by the Chief Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, Mr. Mohamed Kenewu Konneh, the publication of the election calendar is in fulfillment of the powers conferred on the Commission by Sections 154 of the Public Elections Act 2022 (Act No. 17 of 22).

The press release also contained an extensive calendar of campaign events for 16 districts  of the country.

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission is admonishing all political parties, candidates, and their supporters to abide by all the laws and regulations on election campaigns as well as  the PPRC regulatory framework on political campaigns that political parties have signed up to.

Read the full press release below:

Presidential Election: Peter Obi, Others File Petitions To Nullify Tinubu’s Victory

 

The Labour Party (LP) and its Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, have formally filed a petition at the Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, challenging the declaration of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the February 25, 2023, presidential election in Nigeria.

The petition marked: CA/PEPC/03/2023, has the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Tinubu; his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, and the APC as the 1st to 4th respondents.

The petitioners specifically alleged that at the time of the election, Tinubu was not qualified to contest.

They also argued that the election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provision of the Electoral Act 2022.

Obi prayed the tribunal to make an order cancelling the election and compelling INEC to conduct a fresh election in which Tinubu, Shettima, and the APC will not participate.

In a related development, the Action Alliance and the Allied Peoples Movement have equally lodged separate petitions to challenge the outcome of the presidential election.

While the petition by Action Alliance and its presidential candidate, Solomon Okanigbuan, was marked: CA/PEPC/01/2023, that of the Allied Peoples’ Movement, was marked: CA/PEPC/04/2023.

Nigeria: Peter Obi rejects election results, vows to challenge process in court

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi , has vowed to challenge the outcome of Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election in court . 

Addressing the media in Abuja, on Thursday, Mr Obi, who was flanked by the National Chairman of the LP, Julius Abure, and the Director General of his campaign, Akin Osuntokun, claimed that Nigerians were robbed in the 2023 general elections.

According to Mr. Obi, the will of the people had been suppressed. He vowed to explore all legal and peaceful options to reclaim his mandate.

“We will explore all legal and peaceful options to reclaim our mandate. We won the election and we will prove it to Nigerians. We were asked to go to the court. Is that not what they said? So let’s go there,” He stated. 

Meanwhile, Mr.Obi has asked his supporters to remain calm and peaceful, urging them to go out and vote in the forthcoming gubernatorial and state assembly elections.

The 2023 presidential election was won by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, having polled the majority votes of 8,794,726.

PDP’s Atiku Abubakar polled 6,984,520, with Mr Obi placing third with 6,101,533 votes, the INEC Chairman declared. 

Altogether, 18 candidates contested the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria.

#NigeriaDecides2023: Bola Tinubu declared winner of Nigeria’s presidential election

 

The presidential candidate of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has been declared the winner of Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.

Mr. Tinubu, a former two-term governor of Lagos State, garnered 36% of the total votes cast as against his main rivals Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi who polled 29% and 25 % respectively.

In what has been described as the most disputed presidential election in Nigeria’s political history, Mr. Tinubu won most of the states in his home region of the south-west, where he is known as a "political godfather."

He was nevertheless defeated in his home state, Lagos, by Mr. Obi, a relative newcomer who mobilised the support of many young people, especially in urban areas, shaking up the country’s two-party system.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Tinubu called for reconciliation with his opponents.

"I take this opportunity to appeal to my fellow contestants to let us team up together. It is the only nation we have. It is one country and we must build it together," he said in a televised speech to the nation.

According to him, although his opponents have the right to challenge the results in court, the lapses in the election “were relatively few in number and were immaterial to affect the outcome of this election".

President Muhammadu Buhari is stepping down after two terms in office, marked by economic stagnation and growing insecurity around the country – from an Islamist insurgency in the north-east to a nationwide crisis of kidnapping for ransom and separatist attacks in the south-east.

Mr. Tinubu now has the task of solving these problems, among others, in Africa’s most populous nation and biggest oil exporter.

Mr. Tinubu fought for democracy under Nigeria’s military regimes, escaped into exile and became one of the founding members of the country’s democracy in 1999.

 

AEP

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