May 29: Nigerians indifferent as Tinubu takes over from Buhari

All preparations have been made for President Muhammadu Buhari to hand over leadership to the newly elected President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, tomorrow, Monday.

Tinubu emerged victorious in a highly contested election, defeating the candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party, Peter Obi, in the February 25 election.

Despite the opposition’s rejection of the election results and ongoing protests against Tinubu’s presidency, President Buhari handed over the transition report to the President-elect on Thursday, signaling the dawn of a new political era.

Legal action has been initiated by the PDP and the Labour Party, who came in second and third place, respectively, alleging that their mandates were stolen by the ruling party. However, these attempts to halt the inauguration have not yielded positive results for the aggrieved politicians.

Meanwhile, delegates and influential figures from around the world have gathered in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, to witness the long-awaited inauguration of Tinubu and his vice president. While some Nigerians eagerly prepare for the celebration of the incoming government with their traditional musical instruments and regalia, others who feel that Tinubu was imposed on the nation by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continue to express discontent.

David Oyijeche, a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Abuja, lamented the alleged irregularities in the February elections and voiced his belief that Tinubu does not represent the choice of the majority of Nigerians. He argued that the election was marred by evidence of rigging and suppression of votes, and questioned the legitimacy of Tinubu’s victory. Oyijeche called for the electoral umpire to cancel the election and conduct a fresh poll.

In contrast, Pastor Ayodele Johnson, also from the same ministry, expressed the belief that Tinubu’s emergence as the next president of Nigeria was the will of God. He stated that Christians had fervently prayed for the election, seeking God’s will above all. Pastor Johnson cited biblical verses to support his argument and emphasized that God’s will may differ from human desires.

In the midst of these debates, Amb. Aguredam Moses, the Deputy Country Director of the African Youth Union Commission, highlighted the likelihood of electoral manipulation by all political parties involved. He expressed optimism about Tinubu’s governance, based on his track record and recent interactions with influential business figures. Moses believed that Tinubu would exceed expectations and perform better than his predecessors.

While cases of alleged rigging are being brought forward, Moses acknowledged that the electoral system, both among voters and the electoral body, is prone to manipulation. He predicted that some of the cases would be dismissed soon.