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The Unfolding Phenomenon

Feature Article The Unfolding Phenomenon
APR 1, 2015 LISTEN

The 2015 presidential election has come and gone, but Nigerians are yet to know the final result of their votes which was casted on Saturday (28th March,2015) and in some places, (29th March,2015). However, what seems to be glaring is the fact, from the result announced so far in 19 states of the federation including the federal capital Abuja, the candidate of the leading opposition party, General Muhammed Buhari of the All Progressive Congress is leading by over 3 million votes. This is an unfolding phenomenon.

General Buhari, whose campaign message is circled around the theme of change seems to have been successful in changing the view of the Nigerians about him, as result released so far indicate that, from being a candidate who could hardly get 1% of the total vote cast in some states in 2011, Buhari have been able to improve tremendously in many of those states and even winning them in most cases.

From all indications, Change is the unfolding phenomenon which is set to befall Nigeria.

Before the conclusion of INEC's announcement, let me show you how far Buhari has gone in this election compared to what he did in 2011. EKITI: In 2011 presidential election, General Muhammadu Buhari lost and had just 2,689 in Ekiti State, when President Goodluck Jonathan had 135,009 (almost 100%), but now in 2015 according to result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Buhari has 120,331 (41%) and President Jonathan narrowly win with 176,466 (59%).

OGUN: In 2011, Ogun is a state where general Muhammadu Buhari lost woefully, winning just 17,654 votes, when Jonathan had 309,177. But in 2015, the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate won Ogun with 308,290, while Jonathan had 207,950.

ENUGU: In 2011, Buhari had just 3,753 in Enugu state while President Jonathan had 802,144, but the result of the 2015 election indicate that, while Buhari improved his votes against that of 2011, moving from 3,753 to 14,157 votes, President Jonathan votes decline from 802,144 in 2011 to 553,003 in 2015, lossing about 250,000 votes. KOGI: In 2011, Jonathan won Kogi State with 399,816 votes against Buhari's 132,201, but the table turned in 2015, as Buhari defeated Jonathan with 264,851 votes, to Jonathan's 149,987.

OSUN: While none of Jonathan and Buhari won this state in 2011 election, Jonathan still had significant votes from the state, polling 188,409 votes when Buhari merely had 6,997. But in 2015 election, Buhari won the state with 363,603 votes, while Jonathan had 249,929. Although, Jonathan improved from his performance in 2011.

ONDO: This is another state in which Buhari was mercilessly defeated in 2011 by President Goodluck Jonathan. In 2011, Jonathan scored 387,376 while Buhari only had 11,890. But this time around, General Buhari defeated the president, polling 299,889 against Jonathan's 251,368.

OYO: In 2011, Jonathan had 484,758 votes in Oyo state against Buhari's 92,396, but now, general Buhari won this state polling 528,620 votes to defeat Jonathan with 303,376.

NASARAWA: President Jonathan also won this state in 2011 polling 408,997 over General Buhari's 278,390. This time around, both Buhari and Jonathan lost votes in this state compared to what they got in 2011. Jonathan who got 408,997 votes in 2011 only got 273,460 votes this time and Buhari who also got 278,390 votes in 2011 equally dropped to 236,838 votes.

FCT ABUJA: Here, Jonathan won with 253,444 votes in 2011 against Buhari's 131,576, but the president votes dropped in 2015. Though, he slightly won the Fct with 157,195 against Buhari's 146,399, but he lost about 100,000 votes compared to what he got in 2011. KANO: General Muhammadu Buhari got 1,903,999 in Kano to defeat Goodluck Jonathan who had just 215,779. In 2011, Buhari won this state with 1,624,543 votes against Jonathan's 440,666. While Buhari's vote in this state increased by about 300,000, Jonathan's dropped with above 200,000 votes.

KATSINA: The All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammad Buhari polled 1,345,441 votes to sweep the presidential polls in Katsina state against President Jonathan who got 98,937 votes. In 2011, Jonathan had 428,392 against Buhari's 1,163,919. Here, Jonathan lost almost 350,000 votes compared to what he got in 2011, while Buhari gained over 200,000 votes in addition to his 2011 figure.

KWARA: In Kwara, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari defeated President Goodluck Jonathan, in Saturday's presidential election where he, Buhari polled 302,146 votes to defeat Jonathan who garnered 132,602 votes. In 2011, Jonathan won in this state with 268,243 against Buhari's 83,603 votes. JIGAWA: Despite being a core northern state where Buhari was expected to win with wide margin in 2011, the ex-military general was only able to garner 663,994 to defeat Jonathan who had 419,252. However, General Muhammadu Buhari beat President Goodluck Jonathan with wide margin this time around by scoring 885, 988 votes while President Goodluck Jonathan only had 143, 904 votes. While Buhari's vote increased by above 200,000 compared to what he got in 2011, President Jonathan lost about 300,000 when compared with what he had in 2011.

KADUNA: President Goodluck Jonathan had over a million votes in Kaduna in 2011. While General Muhammadu Buhari had 1,334,244, Jonathan had 1,190,179. However, the APC candidate had convincingly defeated the incumbent President in Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo's home state Kaduna with 1.127,760 to 484,085 votes this time around. With this result, Goodluck Jonathan lost over 700,000 votes in Kaduna compared to what he had in 2011. Although, Buhari also lost votes compared his tally of 1,334,244 in 2011 to 1.127,760 in 2015.

If we continue to compare the results of 2011 to 2015 between both candidates, certainly, we would all realized that,something has changed for good. All coast seems clear for the emergence of general Buhari as the president of the federal republic of Nigeria.

While we await the official announcement of General Buhari as the new President elect, let me congratulate all those who contributed in one way or the other to the success of this unfolding phenomenon of change.

It is almost certain, change is here

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