Bola Tinubu has won the most votes, setting him on the path toward the presidency of Africa’s most populous democracy, according to final results.

Bola Tinubu from Nigeria’s ruling party has won the most votes in the country’s presidential election, according to final results released on Wednesday.

The results almost certainly set Tinubu on the path toward the presidency of Africa’s most populous democracy.

However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must still confirm whether Tinubu passed the benchmark of 25% of votes in two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states and capital that he needs in order to be declared president.

If that threshold is not met, there will be a runoff between the top two candidates.

Tinubu was a candidate for the All Progressives Congress — the party of outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari.

He won 8.8 million votes against 6.9 million votes for Peoples Democratic Party candidate Atiku Abubakar. The Labour Party’s Peter Obi placed third with 6.1 million votes.

Voting delays criticized

Voting was largely peaceful but plagued by long delays at many polling stations, which contributed to the slow release of results over several days.

Abubakar and Obi alleged that vote count was manipulated and have called for fresh elections, but Nigeria’s electoral commission dismissed these claims.

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

zc/jsi (AFP)