2019 Nigerian general election

2019 Nigerian general election
← 2015 23–24 February 2019 2023 →
Registered82,344,107
Presidential election
Turnout34.75% (Decrease8.90pp)
 
Nominee Muhammadu Buhari Atiku Abubakar
Party APC PDP
Running mate Yemi Osinbajo Peter Obi
States carried 19 17 + FCT
Popular vote 15,191,847 11,262,978
Percentage 55.60% 41.22%
States won by Abubakar (in green) and Buhari (blue)
President before election

Muhammadu Buhari
APC

Elected President

Muhammadu Buhari
APC

National Assembly election
Party Leader Vote % Seats +/–
Senate
APC Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan 63 +3
PDP Bukola Saraki 45 −3
YPP Ifeanyi Ubah 1 New
House of Representatives
APC Femi Gbajabiamila 202 −10
PDP Yakubu Dogara 128 −12
APGA Victor Ikechukwu Oye 9 +4
ADC 3 +3
AA 2 New
PRP 2 +2
ADP 1 New
APM 1 New
LP Mike Omotosho 1 0
SDP Olu Falae 1 0
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
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General elections were held in Nigeria on 23 February 2019 to elect the President, Vice President, House of Representatives and the Senate.[1][2][3][4] The elections had initially been scheduled for 16 February, but the Electoral Commission postponed the vote by a week at 03:00 on the original polling day, citing logistical challenges in getting electoral materials to polling stations on time.[5] In some places, the vote was delayed until 24 February due to electoral violence.[6] Polling in some areas was subsequently delayed until 9 March, when voting was carried out alongside gubernatorial and state assembly elections.[7]

The elections were the most expensive ever held in Nigeria, costing ₦69 billion (US$625 million)[8] more than the 2015 elections.[9][10]

Incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari won his re-election bid, defeating his closest rival Atiku Abubakar by over 3 million votes. He was issued a Certificate of Return,[11][12] and was sworn in on 29 May 2019, the former date of Democracy Day.[13]

  1. ^ Muhumuza, Cara Anna; Muhumuza, Rodney. "Some polling units still open in Nigeria, a day after voting". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 24 February 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  2. ^ Kazeem, Yomi (16 February 2019). "Nigeria has postponed its presidential elections". Quartz Africa. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  3. ^ INEC fixes date for 2019 presidential election The Guardian, 9 March 2017
  4. ^ INEC announces dates for 2019 general elections Premium Times, 9 March 2017
  5. ^ "Politics of election postponement and matters arising". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  6. ^ Ityokura, Msugh. "INEC postpones elections in Lagos, rivers and Anambra states". guardian.ng. Guardian Newspapers. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  7. ^ Nnamdi, Onyirioha (1 March 2019). "Just in: INEC to conduct supplementary elections". Legit.ng. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  8. ^ "Checked: Two claims about the 'astronomical' cost of Nigeria's election". Africa Check. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  9. ^ Krishi, Musa Abdullahi; Ozibo, Ozibo (16 August 2018). "Why 2019 elections will be Nigeria's most expensive – INEC". Daily Trust. Archived from the original on 25 February 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  10. ^ Abdallah, Nuruddeen M. (3 August 2018). "2019 elections set to be Nigeria's most expensive". Daily Trust. Archived from the original on 25 February 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  11. ^ "Breaking: INEC gives Buhari, Osinbajo certificates of return". Vanguard News Nigeria. 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  12. ^ "INEC Presents Certificates Of Return To Buhari, Osinbajo". Sahara Reporters. 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  13. ^ "BREAKING: Buhari declares June 12 Democracy Day to honour Abiola". Premium Times Nigeria. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2019.