The controversy involved more than campaign appearances. The naira redesign policy, the cash shortage that affected Nigerians before the election, the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), delays in uploading results to INEC’s Results Viewing Portal and the legal challenges that followed all became part of the wider discussion about electoral credibility.
More than three years later, these issues remain relevant as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general election. Tinubu succeeded Buhari as president in May 2023, and Buhari died in July 2025. Tinubu is now seeking another term, while political parties and candidates are preparing to compete in the next presidential election.
This updated article revisits the original arguments made by Nwoba Chika Nwoba, examines the documented events surrounding the 2023 election and considers their significance for Nigeria’s democratic future. It distinguishes established facts from allegations that require independent evidence.
Buhari, Tinubu and the Question of Political Neutrality
During the 2023 presidential election campaign, some Nigerians interpreted Muhammadu Buhari’s conduct as evidence that he was not fully committed to Tinubu’s ambition. They pointed to the disagreements within the APC, the president’s appearances at selected campaign events and the controversial naira redesign policy.
However, the claim that Buhari remained neutral throughout the campaign does not fully reflect the public record. Buhari openly endorsed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, the APC presidential and vice-presidential candidates. He attended campaign events and urged Nigerians to support the party’s ticket.
His public support is important when evaluating claims that he secretly worked against Tinubu or deliberately concealed his political position. The available record establishes that Buhari supported the APC candidate openly. Whether his administration’s policies and the wider electoral process met the expectations of Nigerians is a separate question.
In a democratic system, a president can support a political party while still being expected to protect the independence of public institutions and ensure that elections are conducted according to the law. The key issue is whether institutions such as INEC operate transparently and whether allegations of misconduct are investigated using credible evidence.
The original commentary by Nwoba Chika Nwoba took a more critical view of Buhari’s conduct, suggesting that his apparent neutrality concealed a strategy to help the APC win. That interpretation reflects the author’s political argument, but allegations of secret coordination or deliberate electoral manipulation should not be presented as established facts without supporting evidence.
The 2023 APC Presidential Primary and Tinubu’s Emergence
Tinubu emerged as the APC presidential candidate in June 2022 after the party’s presidential primary. He competed with other prominent party figures, including former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.
The primary attracted significant attention because of Tinubu’s long political career and his influence within the APC. His victory also raised questions about the role played by the party leadership and Buhari, who was then the sitting president.
Some commentators argued that Buhari could have influenced the primary’s outcome if he had actively backed another aspirant. Others maintained that the party’s internal dynamics and Tinubu’s political network were central to his emergence.
What can be established is that Tinubu won the party’s ticket and later received Buhari’s public endorsement. Claims that the primary was secretly manipulated to guarantee his victory require evidence beyond the outcome itself.
The episode remains relevant to discussions about internal party democracy, the influence of political leaders and the extent to which party members can participate meaningfully in selecting presidential candidates.
The Muslim-Muslim Ticket and Nigeria’s Religious Diversity
Tinubu selected Kashim Shettima, a Muslim from northeastern Nigeria, as his running mate. The decision produced widespread debate because both candidates were Muslims in a country where religious representation is a major political consideration.
Supporters defended the ticket on the grounds of political experience, competence and party strategy. Critics argued that the decision failed to reflect Nigeria’s religious diversity and could deepen concerns about inclusion.
There was also speculation about Buhari’s private position on the ticket. However, his public support for the APC candidates does not support the suggestion that he was clearly opposed to the arrangement.
The debate over religious representation continues to offer lessons for future elections. Political parties must consider how their choices affect public confidence, national inclusion and the perception that government represents citizens from different backgrounds.
The Naira Redesign Policy and the Cash Shortage
One of the most controversial developments before the 2023 election was the redesign of the ₦200, ₦500 and ₦1,000 banknotes under Buhari’s administration. The Central Bank of Nigeria introduced the policy with stated objectives that included improving currency management, reducing cash held outside the banking system and tackling illicit financial activities.
The policy was implemented shortly before the general election, and the transition to the redesigned notes resulted in a severe shortage of cash in many parts of Nigeria. Individuals and businesses struggled to withdraw money, complete transactions and pay for basic goods and services.
The crisis affected traders, transport operators, workers, households and small businesses. It also became a political issue, with several politicians criticising the policy’s timing and implementation.
Tinubu himself publicly criticised aspects of the government’s handling of the naira redesign. This created the impression of a serious disagreement within the ruling party at a critical time in the election campaign.
Some commentators interpreted the policy as an attempt to limit vote buying by reducing the circulation of physical cash. Others questioned whether the implementation was fair and whether political actors had equal access to the available currency.
The original article made a more serious allegation: that a substantial portion of newly printed cash was reserved for Tinubu and distributed to APC governors and candidates, while opposition politicians were denied access to similar funds. That allegation should be treated cautiously. It would require independently verifiable financial records, credible testimony or authoritative findings to establish that such a coordinated arrangement occurred.
The existence of a cash shortage, political disagreements and suspicions about unequal access does not, by itself, prove that a particular candidate received a secret allocation of money or that the election outcome was determined through that arrangement.
Nevertheless, the episode raised important questions about policy transparency, the timing of major economic decisions and the need for public institutions to explain how policies are implemented during election periods.
For further background, read our related article, Naira Redesign Policy Under Buhari’s Presidency: Devastating Effects.
INEC, BVAS and the Promise of Transparent Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission introduced technology intended to improve electoral transparency, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). The system was designed to support voter accreditation and help reduce certain forms of electoral malpractice.
INEC also used its Results Viewing Portal, known as IReV, to provide online access to polling-unit result sheets. Many voters expected the platform to make it easier to verify results and follow the collation process.
During the presidential election on February 25, 2023, delays in uploading results to IReV triggered widespread criticism. Opposition parties and their supporters argued that the delays undermined confidence in the process, particularly because technology had been presented as an important part of improving electoral transparency.
The commission’s handling of results transmission became a central issue in the election petitions. However, claims that INEC deliberately manipulated the election to favour the APC must be distinguished from documented technical or administrative problems. Establishing deliberate manipulation requires evidence of intentional misconduct and its connection to the declared result.
The experience demonstrated that electoral technology alone cannot guarantee public confidence. Election authorities also need reliable systems, clear procedures, transparent communication and effective ways to resolve problems when technology fails.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 election, the performance of INEC and the transparency of results collation will remain important subjects of public scrutiny.
For another example of election-related controversy, read our report on the PDP’s allegations concerning APC and INEC during the Ebonyi election. The report covers allegations made by the party and should not be interpreted as a judicial finding.
The FCT 25 Per Cent Controversy
After INEC declared Tinubu the winner of the 2023 presidential election, one major legal argument concerned the constitutional requirement that a presidential candidate must obtain the highest number of votes and at least one-quarter of the votes cast in at least two-thirds of the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Tinubu received the highest number of votes nationally but did not obtain 25 per cent of the votes cast in the FCT. Peter Obi of the Labour Party received the largest share of the FCT vote, leading to debate over whether the constitutional provision required a presidential candidate to independently secure at least 25 per cent there.
Opposition lawyers and commentators argued that the FCT requirement should be applied separately. Other legal interpretations maintained that the FCT was included within the constitutional formula and did not create an additional independent threshold in the way the petitioners claimed.
The dispute was examined by the courts. The Presidential Election Petition Court dismissed the challenges to Tinubu’s election in September 2023, and the Supreme Court dismissed the subsequent appeals in October 2023. The courts rejected the argument that failure to obtain 25 per cent of the FCT vote automatically disqualified Tinubu under the interpretation advanced by the petitioners.
This means that the claim that INEC unlawfully declared Tinubu the winner solely because he failed to secure 25 per cent in the FCT does not reflect the final judicial outcome.
Readers interested in the arguments made during the dispute can read Prof. Mike Ozekhome’s legal argument on why Peter Obi should have been declared the winner. It is an opinion piece published during the controversy, not the final court ruling.
What the Courts Decided About the 2023 Election
Following Tinubu’s declaration as president-elect, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party challenged the result in court. Their petitions raised issues involving electoral procedures, results transmission, constitutional requirements and alleged irregularities.
On September 6, 2023, the Presidential Election Petition Court dismissed the petitions challenging Tinubu’s election. The Supreme Court later dismissed the appeals on October 26, 2023, leaving Tinubu’s victory intact.
The final judicial outcome is an essential part of the historical record. It does not mean that every aspect of the election was beyond criticism or that all concerns raised by voters were imaginary. It means that the legal challenges brought before the courts did not succeed in overturning the declared result.
In any democracy, allegations of misconduct should be assessed through evidence, investigations and lawful procedures. At the same time, political commentary should acknowledge final court decisions instead of presenting rejected legal arguments as though they remain the governing outcome.
Buhari’s Death in 2025 and the End of an Era
Muhammadu Buhari died in July 2025 at the age of 82 while receiving medical treatment in London. His death marked the end of a long and consequential career in Nigerian public life.
Buhari first led Nigeria as a military ruler after the 1983 coup and later returned to power as a democratically elected president in 2015. He served two presidential terms before handing over to Tinubu on May 29, 2023.
His political legacy remains contested. Supporters remember his long-standing public image as a disciplined leader who promised to fight corruption and improve security. Critics point to persistent insecurity, economic hardship, the cash crisis surrounding the naira redesign, restrictions on civil liberties and other controversies during his administration.
His record therefore cannot be reduced to one policy or one election. A balanced historical assessment must examine the achievements claimed by his supporters alongside the problems identified by critics, using documented evidence and the experiences of Nigerians during his years in office.
Buhari’s death also changes how the debate about the 2023 election should be framed. The question is no longer whether he will explain his intentions in future interviews or respond to new allegations. It is how historians, journalists, political institutions and citizens will assess his decisions using the public record available.
Tinubu’s Presidency: What Happened After Buhari?
Bola Ahmed Tinubu became president on May 29, 2023, continuing APC-led federal government rule. His administration inherited longstanding economic and security challenges and introduced major policy changes, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and reforms to the foreign-exchange system.
The government has argued that these reforms were necessary to improve public finances, reduce distortions in the economy and strengthen investor confidence. Critics have focused on their effects on living costs, transport fares, food prices and household purchasing power.
These issues have become important to the political debate ahead of the 2027 election. Voters are likely to assess the administration on economic conditions, security, employment, public services and whether the benefits of its policies are reaching ordinary Nigerians.
Tinubu has also publicly described Buhari as a political partner and said his administration would honour aspects of Buhari’s legacy. In December 2025, the Presidency published remarks by Tinubu at the unveiling of a book about Buhari, in which he spoke about their political relationship and the importance of learning from the former president’s achievements and shortcomings.
That relationship is relevant to the historical discussion because Tinubu’s rise to the presidency followed the APC’s years in power under Buhari. However, the two administrations should still be assessed on their individual decisions, policies and results.
Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election Campaign
As of October 2026, Tinubu is preparing to seek a second term in office. The APC selected him as its presidential candidate, and he has begun campaigning ahead of the next general election.
On October 24, 2026, Tinubu launched his re-election campaign at a rally in Kaduna State. His campaign comes amid debate over the effects of his economic reforms, the cost of living, insecurity and the performance of his administration.
The 2027 contest gives Nigerians another opportunity to assess the ruling party’s record since 2015, including Buhari’s eight years in office and Tinubu’s first term. Supporters of the administration are expected to highlight reforms and government projects, while opposition candidates are likely to challenge its economic and security record.
According to INEC’s current published election calendar, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
Readers should confirm any later timetable changes through INEC’s official election calendar.
The 2027 election will also renew public attention on electoral transparency, the reliability of results transmission, voter access and the conduct of political campaigns. These issues are relevant to every candidate and party, not only the APC.
What the 2023 Election Controversy Means for 2027
The controversies surrounding the 2023 election provide several lessons for Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
First, public confidence requires more than assurances from political leaders. Citizens need clear procedures, reliable technology and timely explanations when electoral systems experience difficulties.
Second, major government policies introduced close to elections can have political consequences even when their stated objectives are economic or administrative. Policymakers should communicate clearly and consider how implementation affects citizens across the country.
Third, political allegations should be supported by evidence. Claims about vote buying, secret funding or deliberate manipulation are serious and should be investigated when credible evidence is available. They should not be treated as established facts merely because they align with a political viewpoint.
Finally, election petitions and court rulings form part of the democratic process. Candidates have the right to challenge results through lawful channels, while the public has a right to scrutinise the evidence and understand the courts’ decisions.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 election, the relevant question is whether political parties and electoral institutions have learned from the weaknesses and controversies exposed in 2023. Improved transparency, public communication and accountability would help strengthen confidence in the next electoral process.
Conclusion
The debate over Muhammadu Buhari’s role in the 2023 presidential election remains part of Nigeria’s political history. Buhari publicly endorsed Tinubu, while the naira redesign policy, the cash shortage and delays in results transmission contributed to controversy about the conduct of the election.
The allegation that Buhari secretly coordinated an unlawful plan to deliver the presidency to Tinubu has not been established by the facts presented in this article. Similarly, the final court decisions affirmed Tinubu’s election after dismissing the opposition challenges.
Buhari died in July 2025, leaving behind a legacy that continues to attract both praise and criticism. Tinubu, who succeeded him, is now seeking another term in the 2027 election. The next contest will provide voters with an opportunity to assess the ruling party’s record, the opposition’s alternatives and the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral institutions.
Alternatively, the most useful way to revisit the 2023 election is through evidence, historical context and accountability. Nigeria’s democracy will benefit when leaders and institutions are judged by their documented actions, electoral rules are applied fairly and allegations of misconduct are investigated rather than accepted without verification.