Jonathan Receives INEC Certificate as President-elect

A few hours after being declared winner of last Saturday’s presidential poll, Goodluck Jonathan yesterday formally received the certificate of return as elected President. It was presented to him by INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega in Abuja, the Federal capital.

Jonathan scored about 60 percent of the votes cast to emerge the winner.

In this news analysis, Nigerian Election News Report examines why he won the election.

[Analysis]
 

To political pundits it was not a surprise. They say the handwriting became clearer on the wall as the contest drew closer.

First, candidate Goodluck Jonathan and his party – the PDP – enjoyed the power of incumbency, in place since 1999. Backed by enormous resources, they mounted the most visible campaign across the country and in the media.

In contrast were the relatively ineffectual campaigns of the opposition parties. Some candidates were only seen on posters.

Jonathan also benefitted from the failed alliance of the two major opposition parties – Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Some Nigerians felt Jonathan possessed personal qualities of humility and loyalty, demonstrated first as Deputy Governor in Bayelsa State and later Vice-President to late Umaru Yar’ Adua.

Jonathan’s pledge not to interfere with INEC and statement on voting day that he would leave if he lost could have also been decisive.

There might be other extraneous factors that will unfold as the days go by.