TIME magazine, which has released the prestigious list in 20 years, said Tinubu achieved a no mean feat by winning the Nigerian presidential election after almost two decades of preparation.
Influential Time magazine has named the President elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu as one of the world’s most influential people for 2023.
Tinubu, a two terms former Governor of Lagos state was declared the winner of the February 25 presidential election which saw him defeating Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party and the Labour Party’s Peter Obi.
TIME magazine, which has released the prestigious list in 20 years, said Tinubu achieved a no mean feat by winning the Nigerian presidential election after almost two decades of preparation.
“Winning an election in Africa’s most populous country is no easy feat. But Nigeria’s newly elected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has had nearly two decades to prepare. Called Jagaban, or “leader of the warriors,” by his supporters, the now 71-year-old ran in a presidential election for the first time this March. His campaign slogan, “It’s my turn,” was a nod to his role as a longtime political power broker. Tinubu helped restore the country’s democracy in 1999 after fighting military rule and then served two consecutive terms as governor of Lagos,” TIME stated.
The publication however noted that the election won by Tinubu was characterized by irregularities when it wrote:
“But Tinubu’s win with the ruling All Progressives Congress Party came in a fraught election and by a slim margin over Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. It was the first time Nigerian voters contended with a third-party candidate, and many discontented young Nigerians yearning for change pinned their hopes on Obi. Marred by allegations of intimidation and vote rigging, the outcome of the ballot is being challenged in court.