President
Muhammadu Buhari recently made a statement about the outcome of the 2023
elections in
Nigeria, stating that winning elections in the country will no
longer be “business as usual.” He noted that the results of the
elections are indicative of how strong democracy has become in Nigeria and how
sophisticated Nigerian voters are when it comes to choosing their leaders.
During his
meeting with the newly-installed Emir of Dutse, Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sunusi at
the State House in Abuja, the President expressed his surprise at how the
ordinary citizen, who is usually underrated, demonstrated a deep understanding
of politics through their voting choices. He emphasized that there is no longer
a guaranteed route to power, as shown by the outcome of the 10 governors who
could not win their election to the Senate. He added that the voter is truly
the king when it comes to elections.
The
President also acknowledged the sophistication of the Nigerian voter, citing
the electronic accreditation of voters and electronic transmission of results
during the 2023 general election. He noted that apart from the previously held
off-cycle governorship elections, this was the first Nigerian democratic
process to witness such advancements in technology.
The
President further highlighted that the 2023 elections have changed the
political landscape in Nigeria, making politics more difficult. He stressed
that assumptions that being a governor for eight years automatically leads to a
successful career in the Senate will no longer hold, and no one should
underrate the Nigerian voter anymore.
Overall,
President Buhari’s statement reflects his satisfaction with the progress of
democracy in Nigeria and his recognition of the role of Nigerian voters in
shaping the country’s political landscape.
