Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s President-elect, has relocated to the Defence House in Abuja ahead of his inauguration on May 29, 2023. The Defence House is the official residence for Nigeria’s President-elects. Tinubu is expected to stay there with his Vice President-elect, Kashim Shetttima, before moving to the Presidential Villa after being sworn in.
Tinubu returned to Nigeria on Monday to a warm welcome from his supporters and well-wishers across the country. He restated his promise to deliver a nation of renewed hope for all Nigerians and that he is ready for the task ahead. Tinubu denied rumours that he might not be available to take over power after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure ends on May 29, due to ill-health.
Tinubu left Nigeria on March 21, a day after Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) filed petitions challenging his return as the winner of the February 25 presidential election.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Tinubu as the winner of the election after he polled the highest number of votes. Tinubu got 8,794,726 votes, while Atiku had 6,984,520 votes, and Obi got 6,101,533 votes. The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, garnered 1,496,687 votes.
Tinubu said that he had been consulting and planning to put together a strong team so that he could hit the ground running once he assumes office. He also confirmed that he is preparing for his inauguration and consulting with those who will be part of the new government. President Muhammadu Buhari said that he cannot wait to hand over to Tinubu and go home after eight years of being at the helm of affairs in Nigeria.
