The election will also be a powerful affirmation for the democratic process in a West-African sub-region where a recent spate of coups dtat has heightened fears about a return to the era of military rule. 38. Since Mr Buhari took power in 2015, inflation kept rising, making life more difficult for the people. 5 min read The News Nigeria's new president Bola Tinubu looks set to appoint trusted lieutenants connected to the political scene in Lagos to key posts, handing power to. To ensure that our democracy remains resilient and our elected representatives remain accountable to the people, I am leaving behind an electoral process which guarantees that votes count, results are credible, elections are fair and transparent, and the influence of money in politics reduced to the barest minimum. Presidential candidates usually balance their tickets, choosing a running mate from the other side of Nigerias religious divide, but the APC candidate has chosen a fellow Muslim. IFES and Google Announce Partnership to Foster Digital Security for Democracy. These elections were an important statement about the viability of democracy in countries experiencing transition or conflict. A few months after the elections, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammadu Sanusi, said Nigerians have never been this divided since the civil war ended in 1970. Only after paying 1.5 million naira, about $3,280, was she able to free him. 9. The ransoms, even small ones, are painful in a country where more than 60 percent of the population lives in poverty. The inability of northern politicians to This is a riddle that the Tinubu administration must solve. For the first time in a Nigerian election, photographs of the polling station results sheets were published online by the electoral commission. The deep sense of marginaliza-tion and frustration in the North, which led to the violent rejection of the 2011 election results, is still present. The nation is deeply divided along ethnic and religious lines, which has caused tension and conflict. However, there were nearly 120,000 polling stations operating on Election Day, many of which did not have access to cell phone or internet service and were thus unable to receive INECs directive. Global Climate Agreements: Successes and Failures, Backgrounder Nigerias election commission extended the deadline to collect the cards by two weeks in response. In Kaduna, in northwestern Nigeria on Thursday. This epidemic of kidnappings is just one of multiple security crises that are creating levels of violence unseen for decades in Nigeria, Africas most populous country, with nearly 220 million people. A snap parliamentary election will be held in Greece on 25 June 2023. 24 Feb 2023 Voters are set to head to the polls on Saturday to elect President Muhammadu Buhari 's replacement as he serves out the second of his constitutionally permitted two four-year terms. However, Buhari also did reasonably well in some of southern states normally dominated by Jonathans party. How the Pakistani military feel about Imran Khan. As Nigerians go to the polls on Saturday to choose a new president, insecurity is the top issue facing the country, according to a survey by SBM Intelligence, a Nigerian risk consultancy. Atiku Abubakar, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard bearer. I am happy that considerable progress had been made in repatriating huge sums of money back to the country and also taken over properties illegally acquired from our commonwealth. 36. A 61-year-old civil engineer was supervising a digging project on a farm in southern Nigeria when five young men carrying AK-47s stormed the place and dragged him into the bush. The 2019 Election Violence Nigeria's elections have historically been fraught with controversy, violence, and other abuses, with the 2015 elections, widely believed to have been largely free of . Muhammadu Buhari, the departing president and a former general, was elected in 2015 in part on promises that he could get the violence under control. northerners consider a lost turn for the presidency, General Buhari will imminently be declared the winner. Today we mark and celebrate another peaceful transition of power from one elected government to another in our steady march to improve and sustain Nigerias democracy. Elian Peltier is the West Africa correspondent. Bola Tinubu of the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC). However, these additional tally sheets would have increased the totals for each party, not decreased them. A curation of original analyses, data visualizations, and commentaries, examining the debates and efforts to improve health worldwide. Finally, Nigeria deserves increased support from the international community. Seven more elections in Africa in 2015 Following Zambia, where by-elections were held in January to find a successor to the deceased Michael Sata, Nigeria was the second of nine countries. . Fellow Nigerians, on the strength of your overwhelming support for me and my political party, I started this journey with a great deal of promise and expectation from you. Violence will most likely ensue if it is perceived that the election was rigged in favor of a particular candidate. Finally, the new government must continue to implement far-reaching economic reforms that are absolutely necessary to sustain high rates of economic growth necessary to create jobs for the millions of unemployed youth and also to fight the countrys deplorably high levels of poverty. Emmanuel, now back home in Kaduna, said he hopes to study medicine in college. I also want to use this opportunity to express my appreciation to a good number of Nigerians who provided their support and encouragement to help me navigate the exciting journey in moving Nigeria forward. In the course of revamping the economy, we made some difficult choices, most of which yielded the desired results. The Independent Electoral Commission introduced a two-step voter-accreditation process which was to be used for the 2015 general election; these included the card-reading machines and the. Responding to Nigeria's looming fuel shortage crisis, caused by removal the removal of a government subsidy, Isa Sanusi, Acting Director for Amnesty International Nigeria, said: "President Bola Tinubu's decision to remove the fuel subsidy has left millions of Nigerians terrified about the knock-on effects that it will have on their daily lives. Frustration at the Central Bank of Nigerias botched currency-swap policy and fuel shortage across the country will likely carry over into Election Day. But when Buhari decided to make me Minister of Education, I called some people to assist me work on a policy document on education because I was a novice in the sector., While campaigning for Mr Buhari in 2015 and 2019, Mr Tinubu, on different occasions, promised Nigerian students stability in the education sector, assuring them of no strike. In the last quarter of 2022, there were 1,640 abductions nationwide, according to Beacon Consulting, a security firm. Furthermore, we increased the ability of the poor and rural Nigerians to earn a living, provided more food for millions in our villages, and gave our women opportunities to earn a living. At an event held on the eve of his inauguration, Mr Tinubu assured Nigerians that he is ready for the challenges ahead. His victory in the election is being contested in court by his main rivals, highlighting the divided state of the nation. Yet, a large amount of the country's . This made it possible to add up all the polling station sheets and to compare them with the results declared at the state level. He however faces significant problems - including widespread insecurity, rising inflation, and oil theft, writes Ibrahim Adeyemi for Premium Times. On many campaign stops, Mr Tinubu has bragged about his ability to fix the economy and build wealth for the nation and people. A former putschist general in the army, Buhari was elected in 2015, and again in 2019, on the promise of putting an end to corruption and insecurity in Nigeria. Regina Ngorngor and her 17-year-old son, Emmanuel. Emmanuel was held for three months after he and his schoolmates were abducted. In the last year alone, armed groups killed more than 10,000 people, according to a tally by the International Crisis Group. The economy has been bruised, with rising inflation, corruption and poor purchasing power affecting the people. In the 2011 presidential elections, there were riots and mayhem leading to approximately 800 deaths and 65,000 people displaced from their homes and the 2011 elections were managed significantly better than the 2007 vote. Michelle Gavin, Ebenezer Obadare, and other experts track political and security developments across sub-Saharan Africa. The News. In particular, the real and perceived marginalization of the north must be addressed through more fair allocation of resources and targeted investments to promote economic activities in the region. I have no doubt that your passion for excellence, reliance on competence, fairness in relationships, commitment to equity, loyalty to the country, and desire for Nigeria to be globally relevant would come through for you, under Gods guidance, as you lead our country to levels higher than I am leaving. Here are some of the biggest challenges his administration faces. 22. One man who was kidnapped said, You can only survive on your own in Nigeria.. Nigeria has fared badly over the course of the Muhammadu Buhari presidency. He said the elections dangerously divided voters along ethnic and religious lines. For about 5% of polling stations, the photos of tally sheets were too blurred for us to read. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Mr Shettimas remarks signalled he is aware of the challenges ahead and the bruises on Nigerias economy that may take time to heal. 25. A man walks past electoral campaign posters, ahead of Nigeria's Presidential elections, in Lagos, Nigeria on January 31, 2023. . Now, shes mobilizing voters, supporting Obi. The high turnout in northern states also reflects the general feeling by northerners that it should be their turn to rule and also due to the perceived marginalization of the region. Insecurity has become a function of Nigerias economy, said Mr. Olaniyi, whose family paid about $3,500 in ransom after he was kidnapped in 2021. Urban centers with high concentrations of young people remain potential flash points. March 25, 2015 2:36PM ET. Solar panels - an eco-disaster waiting to happen? President-elect Bola Tinubu is facing legal challenges ahead of his inauguration on 29 May, By Chiagozie Nwonwu, Peter Mwai & Karina Igonikon, Example of a tally sheet from a single polling station, one of almost 177,000 across Nigeria, Peter Obi has contested the outcome of the vote in Rivers state, The results for Oyigbo (with the two largest parties highlighted), Dr Dickson Ariaga (seated far left) announced the Oyigbo results, Moses Ekpa says the Federal College of Education in Omoku has never heard of Dr Ariaga, A rare insight into Hitler's private life. ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) Frustrated by high unemployment and worsening violence, many younger Nigerians are flocking to a candidate outside the political mainstream in this months presidential election. While the official result in this state gave a clear majority to Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), our tally suggested that Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) had actually received most votes in the state by a wide margin. January 31, 2022, How New Tobacco Control Laws Could Help Close the Racial Gap on U.S. Cancer, Interactive The international community should increase support for the new Nigerian government in its efforts to eradicate Boko Haram. by Zongyuan Zoe Liu You are going to witness a lot of innovation, the National Health Insurance Act signed into law by the present administration is part of those things, he said in a town hall meeting held in January. We were told that they were unable to comment due to ongoing legal challenges. All Rights Reserved. Since 2009, the terrorist group is responsible for over 13,000 dead, 1.5 million internally displaced people and many kidnappings, including the high profile kidnapping of 219 school girls. violence in electoral participation ahead of the 2015 polls; the "On the Road to 2015" voter education radio program conducted by the Partners for Electoral . The US government's attempts to use punitive measures on people undermining the democratic election process by imposing visa restrictions reached the subcontinent on Wednesday with the state department announcing a new visa policy for Bangladesh barely . Nigeria 2015 presidential election: Significance and challenges ahead. On 25 February, Nigerians cast their votes at thousands of polling stations across the country. Nigeria's 2015 Election in Perspective, in: Africa Spectrum, 49, 3, 121-133. . Buhari won the Nigerian presidential. Readmore, The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has dismissed the petition of the Action People's Party challenging the declaration of Bola Tinubu as the winner Readmore, The 2023 general elections were highly anticipated as a crucial milestone for the nation's democratic process but despite initial hopes for transparency and fairness, the elections Readmore, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been inaugurated as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, after taking the oath of office at Eagles Square in Abuja. Incumbents Federal government President: Goodluck Jonathan (until 29 May), Muhammadu Buhari (starting 29 May) Vice President: Namadi Sambo (until 29 May), Yemi Osinbajo (starting 29 May) Senate President: David Mark (Until June); Bukola Saraki (Starting June) March 31, 2015 By Bill Sweeney, President and CEO On March 28, Nigerians went to the polls and voted decisively for change. He has now served the maximum of two terms, and claims to have scored some successes in the northeast against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province. This time around, it is the young people who are very involved in the process; they are not just involved as voters but they are actually the mobilizers, said Idayat. Peter Obi of the Labour Party of Nigeria (LP). The deftness of our response to the pandemic still remains a global best practice. This year we witnessed the most keenly contested presidential elections since the First Republic, and this demonstrates that our democracy is getting better and more entrenched with each election. To improve service delivery, we began the implementation of a number of reforms aimed at producing an Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-oriented (EPIC) Federal Civil Service and the results are beginning to show. 03/31/15 AT 1:13 PM EDT Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress waves during a campaign rally in the northern city of Maiduguri, Nigeria. And Nigerians can elect leaders of their choice. The much talked about 2015 Presidential elections in Nigeria has now come and gone. Bola Tinubu, 71, has been sworn in as Nigeria's president after winning the country's most competitive election since the end of military rule in 1999. Long lines to collect voter cards, and enthusiasm online and at rallies, lead many to think this time will be different. The leadership and members of the National Assembly deserve my appreciation for their patriotism, which did not detract from their roles as a check to the executive arm. All 300 seats in the Hellenic Parliament will be contested. President Muhammadu Buhari, in his farewell broadcast to Nigeria ahead of Mondays inauguration, said he is leaving Nigeria better than in 2015. The three leading candidates have all pledged to tackle insecurity, whether by recruiting more security personnel or upgrading the military. I seek a government of national competence. Ford and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are warning owners of nearly 143,000 Lincoln MKC compact SUVs to park them outside and away from buildings and other vehicles because . Frustration with mainstream parties made room for former governor Peter Obi, 61, to position himself as a change candidate. 13. To my brother, friend and fellow worker in the political terrain for the past ten years Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu I congratulate you on the realisation of your dream, which was propelled by a burning passion to put Nigeria amongst the leading nations of the world. We must fight corruption, poverty, inconsistencies in policies and many other problems confronting us, but dont pity me, I asked for the job, I campaigned for it, no excuses, I will live up to the bill delivered. Nigeria is Africas most populous country, with more than 210 million people, and it has at least 93 million registered voters, almost 40 percent of whom are under 35. In 2015, Buhari rode a wave of goodwill to power by promising to curb Nigerias rampant corruption and extremist insurgency, but he failed to make headway on either challenge. Please check your inbox to confirm. Yet in practice, little has changed. The first was the Oyigbo local government area, where we found: The second local government area where we found major discrepancies was in nearby Obio/Akpor: As explained earlier, all the polling station sheets are collated at local government (LGA) headquarters. During the live . Tinubu portrays himself as a human rights advocate, but critics question his commitment to accountability in cases of abuse. Tinubu Assumes Duty At Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Mr Tinubu was received by the Vice President Kashim Shettima, who had earlier assumed duty, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other governmentReadmore, Nigeria: Tinubu's Turn - Up Against the Wall Amid Rising Discontent, Up against the wall, Tinubu will need his famed political savvy--and more--to stanch rising discontent in Nigeria. 11. In this hotly contested election, all indications are that General Buhari will imminently be declared the winner and next president of Nigeria by the countrys Independent National Electoral Commission. There are more elections scheduled in Africa in the next two years than on any other continent. Tracking the rise of Russias missile strikes on Kyiv, A rare insight into Hitler's private life. A BBC investigation has found evidence suggesting some results from Nigeria's presidential election may have been manipulated. Opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari won approximately 52 percent of the vote to defeat incumbent President Goodluck Jonathon, who collected 44 percent. Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the closure of the country's land and sea borders ahead of this weekend's general election, the interior ministry said Wednesday. The fractured Boko Haram terror group crossed into the North-west and North-central zones of the country, joining already existing armed groups there. The oil subsidy has become an albatross around our necks.