Why getting most votes is not enough to become Nigeria’s president
AI Executive Briefing
Gemini Flash AI~45s readTo become Nigeria's president, a candidate must secure the highest number of total votes and achieve at least 25% of the vote in two-thirds of the 36 states and the FCT. The Supreme Court clarified in 2023 that the FCT does not require a unique 25% threshold, settling a dispute raised by opposition candidates.
Context & Background
- ✦Section 134(2) of the 1999 Constitution outlines the dual requirements of total vote count and geographical spread.
- ✦The interpretation of the FCT's status has been a point of legal contention, with historical precedents dating back to the 1979 election dispute involving Shehu Shagari.
Key Figures & Named Entities
•Bola Tinubu (APC) was declared the winner of the 2023 election after meeting the constitutional spread requirements.•Atiku Abubakar (PDP) and Peter Obi (LP) challenged the election results, specifically arguing that the 25% threshold in the FCT was not met.
Outlook & Next Steps
The current legal interpretation established by the Supreme Court serves as the governing precedent for future presidential elections, defining the constitutional requirements for victory.
Key Takeaways
AI Summary- Winning the Nigerian presidency requires both the highest number of total votes and a geographical spread of at least 25% of votes in two-thirds of all states and the FCT.
- The Supreme Court ruled in October 2023 that the FCT does not hold special status, meaning 25% of votes in Abuja is not a mandatory standalone condition for victory.
- If no candidate meets the constitutional requirements, the law mandates a run-off election within seven days, followed by a third election if necessary.
Key Facts:26th October 2023: The Supreme Court upheld the election results, ruling that the FCT has no special status above the states.2023: Bola Tinubu secured victory with 8,794,726 votes, representing approximately 36.6% of the 24,025,940 valid votes cast.
Editorial Excerpt
The question of whether 25 per cent in Abuja is a separate, compulsory test went to the Supreme Court after the 2023 election. Atiku and Peter Obi argued that Tinubu of APC had failed it
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
What happens if no candidate meets the constitutional requirements for election?
INEC must arrange a run-off election between the candidate with the highest total votes and the candidate with the majority of votes in the highest number of states within seven days.
Does the FCT have a special status regarding the 25% vote requirement?
No. The Supreme Court ruled that the FCT is treated as a state under Section 299 of the Constitution, and 25% of votes in Abuja is not a separate, compulsory test.
