Politics
INEC Explains Midnight Declaration of 2023 Presidential Election Results
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why it declared the 2023 presidential election result during the early hours of the morning.
On March 1st, at around 2 a.m., INEC announced Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner with 8,794,726 votes.
Tinubu defeated his main opponents, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).
The announcement, made by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, left many Nigerians puzzled, especially those who had waited for hours and woke up to the final results.
For some, particularly supporters of losing candidates, the timing raised concerns and suspicions about transparency.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, addressed these concerns during a session with the INEC Press Corps.
He explained that during a presidential election, Nigeria is treated as one constituency, meaning the results must be meticulously collected and compiled from various stages.
This begins at the polling units and extends through the ward, local government, state, and national levels.
The detailed process of gathering and validating results from all 36 states, including regions as far away as Sokoto and Maiduguri, meant the announcement had to be delayed until all necessary figures had been presented in Abuja.
Oyekanmi emphasized that there is no constitutional or legal mandate specifying a time for declaring election results.
He clarified that INEC could only announce after receiving the necessary data from each state’s returning officer, who had to travel to Abuja.
The returning officers are interviewed by the INEC chairman to ensure the accuracy of the results before the final figures are accepted and announced.
In response to criticism about the late-night announcement, Oyekanmi pointed out that the 2015 election results were declared by the then-chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, around 4 a.m.
He explained that it’s the completion of the collation process, rather than the time of day, that determines when the results are announced.
Ultimately, the timing of the declaration in 2023 was influenced by the logistical challenges of collating and confirming results from across the country.
The explanation aims to provide clarity to the Nigerian public about the timing and transparency of the process, stressing that the delay was necessary to ensure the credibility of the results rather than an attempt to manipulate the election outcome.
Nigerian singer Charly Boy has shared his thoughts on the recent political move by the political party African Democratic Congress (ADC).
It can be noted that the party is gearing up to challenge President Tinubu’s position in the 2027 elections.
The singer took to social media to express his thoughts on the move and questioned who the party is truly fighting for.
“Are they fighting for you, or fighting to sit where their enemies used to sit? Are they shouting ‘enough is enough’ because they’ve changed… or because they’re no longer the ones benefitting?”
“We don’t just need new names. We need new values, new visions, and people with the guts to live by them. 2027 is not about revenge. It’s about rescue.”
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, believes that despite his shortcomings, former President Muhammadu Buhari performed better than the current administration under President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Amaechi admitted Buhari didn’t achieve everything he set out to do, but insisted that things were still better under his leadership compared to now. “Buhari will be the first to tell you he didn’t accomplish all his plans, but by every standard, his government outperformed this one,” Amaechi said.
The former Rivers State governor pointed to areas like security and the independence of institutions, especially the electoral commission, as key areas where Buhari did better. “In terms of security, Buhari placed more focus there. When it comes to the independence of INEC, there was far more freedom under Buhari than we’re seeing now,” he added.
Amaechi also criticised the current state of politics, claiming that new political parties can’t even get registered because of interference from government officials. He made it clear that his comments are not personal, saying he would have been the first to commend President Tinubu if things were going well.
Former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi has maintained that Nigeria’s next president should come from the South. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Amaechi stressed that while power should shift to the South, competence and character must be the key factors in choosing leaders, not just regional sentiment.
He pointed out that the coming elections won’t just be about political parties but will be a fight between everyday Nigerians and the political class. In his words, “Nigeria belongs to everyone. We can’t keep running a system where one region holds all the power and others are sidelined. There are capable leaders in the South. It’s time to restore balance and deliver real results.”
Amaechi added that the elections should not be based on blind party loyalty, saying, “This is about Nigerians taking a stand against the political elite. If we truly want change, now is the time to act.” He believes the South is prepared to take the lead, promising a platform that gives every Nigerian a voice and renewed hope.
Omah Lay Says He’s the Greatest of His Generation Even Without Proof Yet
Rapper Skepta Calls Out U.S. Rappers for a Battle to End UK/US Rap Debate
“He’s Taking Advantage of Young Talents” – Reekado Banks Exposes Industry Sabotage
-
Sport23 hours ago“We’ve lost an African legend” – Kanu Nwankwo Mourns Peter Rufai and Diogo Jota’s Death in
-
Sport23 hours agoLiverpool Retire No.20 Shirt to Honour Diogo Jota After His Death in Car Crash
-
Sport23 hours agoNapoli Want Lookman to Join the Team as Conte Pushes for €50m Summer Move
-
News23 hours agoAmaechi Says Buhari Performed Better Than Tinubu
-
News23 hours agoAmaechi Says It’s Time for a Southern President to Rule Nigeriar
-
Sport18 hours agoAmerican WWE Star Roman Reigns and Wife Galina Reportedly Welcome Their Sixth Child
-
News19 hours agoChimamanda Adichie Tells Women not to Rush Marriage but Choose Right
-
Entertainment15 hours agoRapper Skepta Calls Out U.S. Rappers for a Battle to End UK/US Rap Debate