By News Desk
As Nigerians wait in anticipation of the 2023 election result, many are beginning to ask what is going to happen after the winner is declared.
A winner is declared after meeting the statutory requirement of at least 25% votes in 24 States plus the FCT and polling the highest number of votes.
This would be the third time that Nigeria is witnessing a presidential transition since the return of democracy in 1999.
The first transition was between Obasanjo and his handpicked successor, the late President Umaru Musa Yaradua. It was done without any fanfare as they both belong to the same party. In 2015, Nigeria witnessed the first transition from a ruling party to the opposition as President Goodluck Jonathan handed over to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Transition
Immediately after Buhari was declared winner on April 1, 2015, Buhari met with Jonathan on April 3 to begin planning the transition. Usually, the president is given some daily ministerial and security briefings. Two transition teams are set up (one each for the outgoing and incoming presidents) to begin the process of transition.
The incoming president is hosted at the Defense House until the May 29 when the official hand-over takes place. Government also beefed-up security and protective details around the new president.
The Buhari transition
Already, President Buhari has set up a high-powered transition council to facilitate smooth transfer of power after the elections. The council, set up on February 9, 2023, is under the leadership of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Mr. Boss Mustapha.
This marks a significant shift, where an outgoing president is expressing readiness to begin the process of transfer of power even before the election is held.
