Who won Lagos in 2023?

The outcome also reflected the appeal of Obi’s campaign among voters seeking an alternative to Nigeria’s established political parties, particularly young people who were prominent in the wider movement for political change.

Election-day controversies

The election in Lagos was also marked by reports of violence, intimidation and disruptions at some polling units.

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, which monitored the 2023 general elections, raised concerns about the scale of election-related violence in the state. Its report stated that “the incidents of violence in Lagos State appeared to have surpassed its existing threshold.”

The report documented an incident at Bishop Oluwole Memorial Primary School in Ward 005, Ifako-Ijaiye, where a disagreement involving INEC officials and party agents over a voided ballot paper led to a fight during vote counting.

In another incident, at Polling Unit 069 in Amuwo-Odofin, the Situation Room reported that thugs attacked voters, vandalised vehicles and prevented some people from voting.

The report also documented attacks on journalists covering the election. An ARISE TV crew was attacked in the Elegushi area of Lagos, leaving a cameraman with facial injuries, while camera drones and other equipment were seized.

Beyond violence at polling units, the 2023 elections attracted criticism over the electronic transmission of results. INEC’s election report addressed glitches affecting its Result Viewing Portal (IReV) during the presidential election. The commission maintained that the technical problems did not invalidate the election, although the delays fuelled public concerns about transparency and the credibility of the process.

These controversies formed part of the wider debate over the conduct of the 2023 general elections, with election observers calling for improvements in electoral administration, transparency and security.

A significant political upset

Ultimately, Obi’s victory in Lagos demonstrated that Tinubu’s political influence in the state was not enough to secure a presidential election win. Although the APC candidate won more local government areas, the Labour Party candidate prevailed on the total number of votes cast.

With 582,454 votes against Tinubu’s 572,606, Obi emerged as the winner in Lagos by a margin of 9,848 votes. Atiku finished a distant third with 75,750 votes.

The result became one of the defining stories of the 2023 presidential election, illustrating how voters in a state central to Tinubu’s political history chose a different candidate.

Vanguard