The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the just concluded 2023 Nigeria presidential election which have attracted many reactions. The top four contestants unleashed an unusual outing in their performance during the election. However, the unpredictable election has been concluded with INEC declaring the Bola Almed Tinubu of the APC winner. This has caused more agitations as many rejected the results. The candidates and their votes are as follows:
Bola Tinubu (APC)
Bola Tinubu is a former two-term governor of the Lagos state, where he is credited with attracting foreign investment and improving public transport.
Briefly a senator in the early 1990s, he contested in the 2023 presidential election for the first time, on the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared winner by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) with 8,794,726 votes.
He faces various accusations of corruption and has even been linked to allegations of drug trafficking in the US, fake birth, and educational certificates, all of which he denies.
Kashim Shettima, former governor of Boronu State, is his running mate.
Atiku Abubakar (PDP)
A former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, 75, also contested for the presidency for the sixth time and came second with 6,984,520 votes. His first attempt was in 1992.
The business tycoon served two terms as deputy to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and was credited with making reforms to key sectors that helped kickstart economic growth.
However, he has been accused of various charges of corruption, all of which he denies.
He is representing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), alongside his running mate, Delta state governor Ifeanyi Okowa. Atiku Abubaka has filed a suit challenging the result of the presidential election.
Peter Obi (LP)
A former governor of Anambra state, where he has a strong track record of development, Peter Obi has an active support base on social media.
The 61-year-old portrays himself as “Mr. Clean”, in contrast to many Nigerian politicians who are accused of using public office to steal money. He was declared third position in the just concluded presidential election with 6,101,533 vote, but he has also gone to court to challenge the result. Stating that INEC was biased and corrupt.
His running mate is Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, a former senator from Kaduna State.
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (NNPP)
Rabiu Kwankwaso is a former governor of Kano state, where he introduced free education for local residents during his two terms.
He served as minister of defence from 2003-2007 and vows to tackle the country’s various security crises by recruiting an extra 750,000 soldiers, taking the army’s size to one million.
This is the third time he contested for presidency. His first two attempts failed in the party primaries and this last one failed in the main election as he came forth with 1,496,687 votes.
His running mate is Odiri Idahosa.
