Presidency Declares Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential Election An Improvement Over Previous Ones

The 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections have been described as an “improvement on past elections” by the spokesperson of the Nigerian presidency, Garba Shehu. In a statement released to the media, The presidency commended the government and people of Nigeria for ensuring that the elections were largely peaceful and transparent, despite some technical hitches that occurred.

The presidential election, which was held on February 25, saw Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the ruling party emerge as the president-elect. Although the two main opposition candidates, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, are challenging the results in court, Mr. Tinubu won the majority votes and also scored over 25 per cent in 29 states to meet the constitutional requirement.

In what has been described as the most competitive presidential election in Nigeria’s history, the APC candidate, Mr. Tinubu, emerged victorious, with Messrs. Atiku and Obi winning in 12 states each, indicating a close contest. While some delays and technical faults were reported during the election, Mr. Shehu believes that the vote has consolidated democracy in Nigeria, and the integrity of the Electoral Act of 2022 was strengthened.

The senior special assistant to the president (media & publicity) praised the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System which helped to eliminate ghost, unauthorized or multiple votes, thus stemming fraud. Mr. Shehu acknowledged that the election may not have been perfect, but due to the steps the government has taken, it is an improvement on previous polls.

Speaking on behalf of the presidency, Mr. Shehu also thanked the former ambassadors Mark Green and Johnnie Carson, along with other foreign observers, for their concerns over the logistics of the recent general election in Nigeria and their work as observers on the National Democratic Institute/International Republican Institute Election Observation Missions.

The victory of Tinubu and the APC in the presidential election, underscored by the nationwide wave of support in the National Assembly results, is a clear mandate for the party to retain power for another term of four years. Shehu believes that the adverse reactions received from some quarters are themselves a part of the learning process for everyone, and that all true friends of Nigeria should join the people in proceeding forward for sustainable peace.

In conclusion, the statement from the Nigerian presidency underscores the significance of the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections, and the improvements made in ensuring that the elections were largely peaceful and transparent. Despite the challenges faced, the elections have consolidated democracy in Nigeria and set the stage for another term of governance by the ruling party.

Read Shehu’s full statement below.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

FEBRUARY 25 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS A MARKED IMPROVEMENT ON PAST ELECTIONS, THE WORLD SHOULD NOTE THIS

The Presidency thanks former ambassadors Mark Green and Johnnie Carson – along with other foreign observers – for their concerns over the logistics of the recent general election in Nigeria and their work as observers on the National Democratic Institute/International Republican Institute Election Observation Missions.

It is worth setting their comments in context. No one has disputed the result of the election, except the candidates that fell short. The biggest and the most competitive presidential election in the history of Nigeria has been won by one man: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The US State department congratulated President-elect Bola Tinubu of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC and the people of Nigeria on the outcome of the “competitive election.” British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, was also quick to congratulate the winner on this victory. And so did many others in ECOWAS and the African Union.

Though it is true there were some delays and technical faults in the process that we can learn from – as is the case in any election the world over – the vote progressed and consolidated democracy in Nigeria. The integrity of the Electoral Act of 2022 was strengthened. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System cut out ghost, unauthorized or multiple votes to stem fraud. The election may not have been perfect, but due to the steps the government has taken, it is an improvement on previous polls. That achievement should not be overlooked. The next step is for the Election Commission to ensure transparency in collation.

Adverse reactions as received from some quarters are themselves a part of the learning process for everyone. Elsewhere, the world had been treated to epic lies, obfuscation, jingoism and hate, and told by global media to expect a different outcome. Nigerians shocked the world by refusing religious hatred and sectarian politics.

All true friends of Nigeria should join the people in proceeding forward for sustainable peace.

APC victory in the presidential election, underscored by the nationwide wave of support in the National Assembly results, is a clear mandate for the party to retain power for another term of four years.

This election is an improvement on past elections and due credit should be given to the government and people of this country.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)