PHOTOGRAPHER |FILMMAKER
Copyright Benson Ibeabuchi © All rights reserved.

Pro Deo et Patria: For God and Country


The 2023 Nigerian presidential election was held on 25 February 2023 to elect Nigeria's President and vice president. Bola Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State and nominee of the All Progressives Congress won the contested election with 36.61% of the vote, 8,794,726 total votes. Runners-up were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party, and former Governor of Anambra State Peter Obi, Labour Party, who both immediately protested the vote; Obi claimed he won.


The results were announced in the early hours of 1 March 2023. Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress was named the president-elect in a tight election, with Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi gaining significant votes.


Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) called the election free, fair, and credible, several observers, including the European Union, said the election was not transparent. A joint observation mission of the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute declared, "The election fell significantly short of Nigerian voters' fair expectations."


Nigeria's main opposition parties stated the results of the election were "heavily doctored and manipulated" in a joint news conference. "We won this election as Labour Party, we are going to claim our mandate as Labour Party," said Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the party's vice presidential candidate. 

Voters on a queue at a polling unit during the Nigerian presidential election at Agege area in Lagos Nigeria, on February 25, 2023.
A supporter carried a calabash on his head while chanting various Labour party slogans in support of the party’s candidate Peter Obi, on February 11, 2023.
Supporters during a campaign rally for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos, Nigeria, on Feb 21, 2023.
Supporters of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos, Nigeria, on Feb 21, 2023.
A presiding officer records counted from the Ikorodu local government area during the collation of the presidential election results at the INEC headquarters in Yaba Lagos in Nigeria, on February 26, 2023.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign posters showing the Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar and his running mate Ifeanyi Okowa in Onikan area of Lagos, Nigeria on Feb 6, 2023.
Electoral officials setting up for the NIgerian presidential elections at a polling station at Ojuelegba in Lagos Nigeria, on February 25, 2023.
Voteers check their names on accreditation list at a polling station during the Nigerian presidential election at Ojuelegba in Lagos Nigeria, on February 25, 2023.
A Voter checks his name on the accreditation list at a polling unit during the Nigerian presidential election at Agege in Lagos Nigeria, on February 25, 2023.
Youths playing football on the streets before going to the polling unit at Ojuelegba in Lagos Nigeria, on February 25, 2023.
Electoral officials counting votes after the voting process is done at a polling unit in Egbeda in Lagos Nigeria, on February 25, 2023.
Electorates jubilates after the INEC officials annouced results in their polling unit at Agege in Lagos Nigeria, on February 25, 2023.
A man covered in the Nigeira's flag color holding a Labour party flag at the Presidential mega rally of the party’s candidate Peter Obi, on February 11, 2023.
A supporter stands from inside a car during the campaign for Labour Party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Lagos, on February 11, 2023.
Supporters raising their fist at the Labour Party presidential mega rally for Peter Obi in Lagos, on February 11, 2023.
A supporter stands just outside of a bus holding a Labour Party flag in Lagos, on February 11, 2023.
A man raises an APC flag during Bola Ahmed Tinubu mega rally held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos, Nigeria, on Feb 21, 2023.
Supporters of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos, Nigeria, on Feb 21, 2023.
A scarf showing the APC logo and the governor of Lagos state, Sanwo-Olu during the mega rally held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos, Nigeria, on Feb 21, 2023.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate and his running mate Yusuf Datti, waves to the crowd as they arrive at the mega rally in Lagos, on February 11, 2023.
Kashim SHettima (L), Boala Ahmed TInubu(C) and Jide Sanwo-Olu (R) at the mega rally, held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos, Nigeria, on Feb 21, 2023.
Using Format