MUHAMMADU BUHARI was re-elected Nigeria’s president yesterday, after a delayed poll that angered voters and raised political temperatures, leading to claims of rigging and collusion.

With ballots counted in all of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Buhari, 76, triumphed with some 15.2 million votes over his nearest rival Atiku Abubakar, who trailed by nearly four million votes.

“Muhammadu Buhari ... is hereby declared winner and is returned elected,” Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced early yesterday.

It was the second victory at the ballot box for Buhari, a one-time military ruler who in 2015 was elected to lead Africa’s most-populous nation and leading oil producer.

Addressing supporters and party leaders at his All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign headquarters, he called his win “another victory for Nigerian democracy.”

“The new administration will intensify its efforts in security, restructuring the economy and fighting corruption,” he said. “We will strive to strengthen our unity and inclusiveness so that no section or group will feel left behind, or left out.”

Supporters had gathered outside the party’s offices in the capital Abuja late Tuesday as it became clear that Buhari had an unassailable lead, dancing and singing “We’re popping champagne!”

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo appeared in a video clip singing “Up we go!” in a reference to Buhari and his “Next Level” campaign slogan.

The results showed Buhari won 15,191,847 votes (56 percent) while Abubakar, of the Peoples Democratic Party, won 11,262,978 votes (41 percent).

(SD-Agencies)