How Nigerians celebrated Buhari

Emeka Ibemere

The celebration was fit for a king, as they were highly elated with the results of the last March 28 Presidential election, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The celebration wasn’t only for the prominent members of the All Progress Congress, APC, and their supporters who went into victory dance. Youths, women, who strapped kids on their back, men and young girls, school children on holidays, mothers and the aged including young ones on motorcycles, cabs hutting horns, and other supporters of APC whose candidate is the President-in waiting equally embarked on victory show on the streets in jubilation, throughout the federation.

In the Northern zone of the country, the crowd braved the hot afternoon weather to celebrate the victory. In the Southern axis of Nigeria, APC supporters weren’t left out in the game of dance. The celebration at the popular Conference Centre Abuja, the capital city warmed the hearts of families, friends, and fans of the APC.

It was the celebration of Muhammadu Buhari, who claimed victory in Nigeria's presidential elections announced by Professor Attahiru Mohammadu Jega, the Chairman of INEC.

 The nation erupted into victory shouts immediately the final results of the election, which declared Muhammadu Buhari; the next President in-waiting of the federal Republic of Nigeria was announced.

Former military dictator and a born-again democrat, Muhammadu Buhari become Nigeria’s president elect after defeating President Goodluck Jonathan in the first democratic change of power ever in Africa's most populous nation.

On hearing the results, as the next President, and having won the election, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari waved to supporters in Abuja as he shows interest on the results.

Even as the victory dance was going on, President Jonathan publicly conceded defeat, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the nation.

"I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word," the 57-year-old said in a statement after the final results were announced with Buhari coasting home with some 2.57 million votes ahead. Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC) won 21 states, while Mr Jonathan's PDP was on 15, plus the Federal Capital Territory at Abuja.

Jonathan's defeat is the first time in Nigeria’s 16 years of uninterrupted democracy that a sitting president has not won a second term or handed power to an interim government.

The outgoing President urged disputes over the results to be settled in court, adding: "Nobody's ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian. The unity, stability and progress of our dear country are more important than anything else."

 “This is the first time in Nigeria that a sitting government will be voted out of power using purely democratic means,” said Lai Mohammed, the senior spokesman for Mr Buhari’s All Progressives Congress party. “The people of Nigeria have taken over.”

In the religiously mixed northern city of Kaduna, where 800 people were killed in violence after the last elections in 2011, Buhari supporters streamed onto the streets to celebrate his victory.

Buhari’s supporters were ecstatic at the result and see the moment as historic in the life of the country.

Johanna Andrew, a 30-year old businesswoman, said she was confident that Buhari was going to win.

“I was 100 percent sure from day one this man is going to win because he has ruled the country before," she said. "Though I was a little child, what I heard about him, he ruled this country very well. There was no corruption. This is a man that will support you and take care of you." Murtala Olatunji, a teacher, said the country needs a new leader. “We need change because what’s going on in this country is very bad," she said. "When you look at the dollars before we change it for 190. Now its 250. The economy is going very bad. We want change. We want General Muhammadu Buhari to change this country for us.”

Apart from President Goodluck Jonathan who first congratulated Muhammadu Buhari on his victory, many other prominent Nigerians also called the retired general to express their happiness. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC national leader, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, and others on hearing that Buhari has won the election, also went into celebration mood for Buhari’s successful fourth attempt at gaining the presidential seat.

Other Nigerians all over the country, especially youths took over the social media-Facebook, Twitter, instagram, BB, Whatsup and others to celebrate the victory with some of them making gestures, cartoons, abuses, praises and solidarity. Others equally went on to broadcast their joys while rejoicing to the rest of the world the exit of the sitting president. Some Jonathan’s supporters went on social media to acknowledge the results while others refused to accept the results. They condemned the results on Facebook and failed to appreciate the effort of Jega and his INEC.

President Goodluck Jonathan has called on his supporters as well as members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to be in a celebratory mood rather than mourning because he has kept his word of ensuring a free and fair election.

“I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word. I have also expanded the space for Nigerians to participate in the democratic process. That is one legacy I will like to see endure.

“Although some people have expressed mixed feelings about the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I urge those who may feel aggrieved to follow due process based on our constitution and our electoral laws, in seeking redress”, he stated.

“As I have always affirmed, nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian. The unity, stability and progress of our dear country are more important than anything else. “I congratulate all Nigerians for successfully going through the process of the March 28th General Elections with the commendable enthusiasm and commitment that was demonstrated nationwide.

“I also commend the Security Services for their role in ensuring that the elections were mostly peaceful and violence-free. “To my colleagues in the PDP, I thank you for your support. Today, the PDP should be celebrating rather than mourning. We have established a legacy of democratic freedom, transparency, economic growth and free and fair elections. “For the past 16 years, we have steered the country away from ethnic and regional politics. We created a Pan-Nigerian political party and brought home to our people the realities of economic development and social transformation. “Through patriotism and diligence, we have built the biggest and most patriotic party in Nigerian history. We must stand together as a party and look to the future with renewed optimism”.

“I thank all Nigerians once again for the great opportunity I was given to lead this country and assure you that I will continue to do my best at the helm of national affairs until the end of my tenure”.

 In the city of Maiduguri, Borno state, young people invaded the streets dancing, playing music and chanting “only Buhari” in the Hausa language. General Buhari has also received congratulations from the renowned Nigerian politicians and opinion makers.

In Kano State, supporters of the presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari and his APC party celebrated with funfair. With Buhari’s victory, those volatile northern states replaced violence with victory songs and shouts of Sey Buhari!

The Nigeria’s biggest commercial metropolis, and the northeast capital of Maiduguri, which has been under siege from Islamist Boko Haram militants celebrated the victory.

Tens of thousands of people in Kano celebrated the victory of the Buhari. Among those celebrating were women and youths dressed in the national colours while others wore brocade in different colours. They marched through the streets of Kano celebrating Buhari's victory.

According to reports, buses were filled with people standing on the roof tops waved to the crowd, throwing out posters of General Muhammadu Buhari.

Okada riders also carried people including young girls celebrating in styles to the overwhelmed crowds who stormed major roads and streets of Kano.

At the Kano Government House, youths and women in their thousands holding brooms stormed the main gate dancing while others were sharing free gifts of drinks to people as part of their celebration.

It was gathered that in the rural areas of Kano, villagers engaged in cooking and dancing as part of their celebration over the victory of Buhari, while tricycle operators offer free ride to people to their various destination as their tricycles are adorned with Buhari posters.

At Sabon Gari area which is highly populated with non-indigenes, the area is sounding different as they played music of solidarity to the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.

In Kaduna State, youths streamed down the streets of flashpoint northern cities waving flags and chanting in celebration of a stunning election victory by opposition candidate, northerner Muhammadu Buhari.

The entire north had been calm and deserted for most of the day as panicky residents stayed indoors, glued to radio and television sets for results from the electoral commission.

However, as it became apparent that Buhari, a northern Muslim, had won the election, many emerged from their homes, shouting in celebration. Young men on motor bikes sped down Kaduna's main avenue, performing stunts and waving flags and brooms symbolic of Buhari's opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

"I came out to celebrate because Buhari has won. I joined the queue, I waited and I voted because I want change in Nigeria," said Abubakar Musa, a 42-year-old trader in the midst of the throng in Kaduna.

Even though the results were not yet official, Musa, who confessed to switching allegiances from Jonathan's ruling PDP party, said he was confident that no backroom shenanigans could deny Buhari victory.

"I don't think the Federal Government can change the results now. When you look at the results so far, when you look at the margin that Buhari is leading with, there is no way that can change," he said.

The police stood by and watched as the masses marched past, dancing, singing and waving APC flags, while a helicopter flew overhead in the opposition's stronghold neighbourhood.

As police and army trucks drove by moments later, soldiers raised their fists in triumph, eliciting roars of approval from the crowd.

Along Lagos Street, another opposition stronghold, hundreds stood on balconies, chanting, waving and dreaming of a new era for Nigeria.

"We are not happy. Our kids don't have jobs. We need change in Nigeria. We want a turnaround," said Khadija Ousman, a 40-year-old trader dancing in front of the stall where she sells soft drinks and bread. We have tested other parties. Now we want to try APC. If they don't do anything, we'll kick them out," She stated.

In Ogun State, hundreds of Buhari supporters took to the streets of Sagamu and Ijebu Ode to celebrate. In Sagamu, the party supporters thronged the party secretariat on Ewusi Street around 6pm armed with brooms amidst fanfare to celebrate Buhari’s victory.

It was celebration galore in Osogbo as youths also took to the streets. From Oke-Fia to Ola Iya to Oke Baale, hundreds of youths sang the praise of Buhari to high heavens.

Adebanjo, who is a staunch supporter of President Jonathan, said the wishes of the people must be respected.

The 87-year-old said, “I have nothing personal against Buhari, I don’t hate the man but I cannot forget what he did in the past. He says he is now a democrat but we did not believe him. But now that he has won, he must prove us wrong by being a true democrat.”

Thousands of Akwa Ibom residents thronged the streets of Uyo, the state capital, and other towns Tuesday, singing songs and waving brooms – the symbol of the All Progressives Congress – to celebrate the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s president-elect.

In Imo State, Rochas Okorocha Imo state governor, congratulated Muhammadu Buhari on the victory in the presidential election.

While the official results are yet to be announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, after the release of the figures from Borno state, Okorocha allegedly send congratulatory messages to the All Progressives Congress candidate.

Okorocha reacted with a statement in which he described Buhari’s victory as divine.

“By virtue of Buhari’s victory, Ndigbo and Imo people in particular, can now appreciate the wisdom behind his decision to be part of the merger.”

In Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun expressed joy saying that the Nigerians demonstrated confidence in Buhari’s strong leadership qualities.

“The people have spoken and demonstrated with their votes, their confidence in the ability of the president elects to pull the nation out of its present economic woes.” Amosun hopes that the opposition leader would bring the much anticipated and needed security and economic growth. “I convey my best wishes and look forward to a prosperous and great country under your leadership.”

From the North-East to the North-Central, North-West, South-South, South-East and South-West, the young, the old, male and female jumped onto the streets to celebrate a record-breaking political victory in the political history book of Nigeria.

A cross-section of prominent Nigerians has, however, described the victory of Buhari, who had failed on three consecutive attempts to clinch the presidency, as the dawn of a new order for Nigeria.

A chieftain of pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo; leader of the Oodua People’s Congress, Gani Adams; National Chairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria, Fredrick Fasehun, among others celebrated the victory.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also congratulated Buhari over his victory at the poll, charging him to fight corruption and carry out reforms in different sectors.

Obasanjo noted that so much harm had already been done to many national institutions including the military, however, he advised him to be magnanimous in victory. He said, “With so much harm already done to many national institutions including the military, which proudly nurtured you and I, you will have a lot to do on institution reforms – education, health care, economy, security, infrastructure, power, youth employment, agri-business, oil and gas, external affairs, cohesiveness of our nation and ridding our land of corruption.”

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also congratulated the winner, saying the victory symbolises national rebirth.

“Your victory in the polls, with votes from across the length and breadth of our country, bears witness to the acceptance of not just our party, the APC, but also your ideology of justice, fair play and zero tolerance for corruption as the bedrock for national rebirth.”

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, hailed Nigerians for coming out to peacefully vote in the presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Sultan also commended President Jonathan for calling Buhari to congratulate him on his victory at the polls.

 “I have heard so many comments from so many people across the country and some parts of the world. The elections have been very peaceful in most part of the country and I have seen that the voters and electoral officials behaved very well and everything went so smoothly.”