Only one state out of Nigeria’s 36 states and the federal capital territory has released its election results, with the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, being declared the winner of the small south-western state of Ekiti. However, it is still too early to determine who will become the president of the country.
The delay in releasing the results, which were announced more than 24 hours after polls officially closed, has led to speculation about foul play, given Nigeria’s history of ballot rigging and vote buying. The electoral commission’s new electronic system was meant to expedite the publication of data from polling stations, but teething problems have been blamed for the sluggish pace.
Both the main opposition candidates, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, have criticized the delay, with their respective parties denouncing the situation.
Whoever becomes Nigeria’s next president will face significant challenges, including a sluggish economy and escalating insecurity.