Nigerian election results trickle in

Nigeria, a vast country spanning 923,000 square kilometers with 36 states and a federal capital territory, is currently in the process of tallying up the results of its recent elections. The Chief Press Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Rotimi Oyekanmi, provided an update on the progress from the venue of the National Collation Centre in Abuja. Oyekanmi shed light on the factors contributing to the slight delay in the commencement of the collection of results. One of the primary reasons for the delay is the manual nature of the process dictated by electoral laws that do not allow for electronic transmission of results. This means that representatives from each state must physically transport the necessary documents to the National Collation Centre in Abuja. As some states do not have airports, logistical challenges may arise. However, Oyekanmi expressed optimism that more states would arrive with their results in the coming days, with the goal of having all results announced by tomorrow evening. The procedure of collating the results is straightforward. The INEC Chairman acts as the Chief Returning Officer for the presidential election, while each of the 36 states has designated coalition officers who present the results from their respective regions. Results are announced locally, with a focus on the scores of the 73 parties that participated in the election. Once the collation process commences, voting is officially closed across all 36 states and the FCT. In response to inquiries from political parties, particularly the PDP and the APC, Oyekanmi emphasized that INEC's primary mandate is to conduct free and fair elections and announce results. Refraining from engaging in political discourse, Oyekanmi reiterated that INEC remains steadfast in fulfilling its responsibilities amidst the ongoing process of result tabulation. As the nation eagerly awaits the final outcome of the elections, the atmosphere at the National Collation Centre remains charged with anticipation and scrutiny. Each result announced carries significant weight, reflecting the democratic will of millions of Nigerian voters. The meticulous process of counting and verifying the votes underscores the importance of transparency and accuracy in determining the country's leadership for the years ahead.