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.”
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