The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed Governorship and State Assembly Elections by one week to reconfigure BVAS machines used for the presidential election. A Nigerian court ruled in favor of INEC's decision to reconfigure the BVAS for the State Elections, dismissing objections by the Labour Party. INEC assured Nigerians that BVAS data will remain secure, and candidates get more time to campaign due to the delay.
INEC began announcing the results of Nigeria's presidential election on Sunday after voting was conducted in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The election was contested by 18 candidates, but four are seen as major contenders. The winning candidate must receive the highest number of votes and at least 25% of votes in 25 states.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has declared Bola Tinubu the winner of Nigeria's 2023 presidential election. Tinubu, the APC candidate, won with a total of 8,794,726 votes, defeating his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP. Tinubu will be Nigeria's fifth elected president since 1999.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has advised Nigerian voters to reject corrupt politicians, scrutinize candidates' profiles and antecedents, and push for a reorganization of the political and socio-economic landscape for the benefit of all citizens. The union criticized the concentration of resources in the hands of manipulative political elites and lamented the naira policy's impact on ordinary Nigerians. ASUU advocates for focused leadership to address existential challenges and restore order in the country.
As the 2023 Nigerian General Election approaches, it's essential to take personal measures to protect yourself. Here's a comprehensive guide with tips to stay safe as you head to the polling units.
Nigeria's upcoming election requires voters to be familiar with necessary items to bring to the polling unit, such as a valid Permanent Voter Card, water, snacks, mobile phone, power bank, comfortable shoes and clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen, voter education materials, and reading materials. Adequate preparation is essential to ensure a smooth voting process. It is also important to research candidates and their parties to make an informed decision when casting votes. Voting is a civic responsibility, and voters should be well-prepared for the experience.
INEC urges Nigerians to confirm their polling units ahead of the 2023 general election. Voters can use two methods to locate their polling units: sending a text message or visiting the INEC website. The presidential and national assembly elections will take place on February 25th, followed by the governorship and state assembly elections on March 11th.