Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, has publicly asserted that he won the election, declaring, “I won the 2023 presidential election, everyone knows.” Obi’s claim stands in contrast to the official results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which declared Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner.
According to INEC, Bola Tinubu secured approximately 37% of the vote, followed by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 29%, and Peter Obi with about 25%. Despite this, Obi’s campaign and supporters, particularly among young and urban voters, have maintained that the election was marred by irregularities and that Obi was the true winner.
Obi notably won Lagos State, Tinubu’s home turf, a significant upset that energized his base and fueled claims of broader electoral success. The Labour Party has since pursued legal challenges to contest the declared results, demanding a rerun of the election.
The 2023 election was one of Nigeria’s most competitive in recent history, with millions of voters participating amid hopes for change. However, the official outcome has deepened political divisions, with Obi’s declaration underscoring ongoing disputes over electoral transparency and legitimacy.
As Nigeria moves forward, the controversy surrounding the election results continues to shape the political landscape, with calls for electoral reforms and accountability growing louder from various quarters.
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Sources:
BBC Pidgin, Wikipedia, Al Jazeera, Stears, BBC News, CNN, Reuters