Bola Tinubu Set to Lead Africa's Most Populous Democracy After Winning Nigerian Presidential Election

With President Muhammadu Buhari stepping down after two terms, Bola Tinubu has been declared winner of Nigeria's presidential election; to become the next leader of Africa's most populous democracy.

Ruling party candidate Bola Tinubu won Nigeria's highly disputed weekend election, electoral authorities said on Wednesday, securing the former Lagos governor the presidency of Africa's most populous democracy.

Tinubu, 70, the candidate for All Progressives Congress (APC) party, won 8.8 million votes against 6.9 million for opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar and 6.1 million for Labour Party's Peter Obi, according to final results.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, confirmed Tinubu also secured the required 25 percent of votes in two-thirds of Nigeria's 36 states and capital, a threshold to be confirmed president. "Tinubu, Bola Ahmed, of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected," INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu said.

Tinubu, 70 is retarded as a long-time political kingmaker who ran on his experience as Lagos governor from 1999 to 2007, campaigned saying "It's my turn" to govern Africa's largest economy. He promised "Renewed Hope" but faced questions from rivals over his health, past graft accusations and ties to Buhari, who many critics say failed in his promise to make Nigeria safer.

 Supporters cheered and danced to Afrobeats music at the APC's campaign headquarters in the capital Abuja as the final results were being tallied in the early hours of Wednesday.

The election was a tight race for the first time since Nigeria ended military rule in 1999, after Labour Party's Obi, 61, drew younger voters with his message of change from his political old guard rivals. 

PDP's Abubakar, 76-year-old businessman and former vice president, lost his sixth attempt at the presidency.

Nigerian elections have often been marred by vote-rigging, ballot buying, violence and clashed rival parties though INEC dismissed opposition allegations.

"Contrary to the insinuation by both parties, results emanating from the States point to a free, fair and credible process," the INEC said.