In comparison to the 2011 elections, President-elect Bola Tinubu has revealed that approximately 28 people died during the 2023 General Elections.
This statement was made during a press conference with international media on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at the National Press Centre in Washington, D.C., by representatives of President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu – Mr. Festus Keyamo, Chief spokesperson and Minister of State, Labour, Mr. Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports, and Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, Assistant Principal Spokesperson.
While speaking to the press, Tinubu’s spokesperson highlighted the election results while also mentioning some casualties that occurred during the elections.
In his words, Mr. Festus Keyemo said; “Whilst we look forward to an era when there would be no single casualty during elections in Nigeria, however, the statistics show that 2023 recorded the lowest casualty rates ever. During the 1964/65 elections about 200 deaths were recorded as a result of election violence; the 1993 election recorded 100 deaths; the 1999 election recorded 80 deaths; the 2003 polls recorded 100 deaths and the 2007 polls recorded 300 deaths.
“The 2011 polls recorded 800 deaths, the 2015 polls recorded 100 deaths and the 2019 polls recorded 150 deaths. However, the 2023 polls recorded no more than 28 deaths as a result of election violence. So, the claim that this is the “worst” election so far is totally unfounded.”
However, some Nigerians have expressed anger towards the comparison made.
@Adewale johnson commented; “So he is justifying the killing??? Let be on record that Tinubu is saying this We will refer to this Twitter in years to come”.@Nath also said; “The 800 people died because of one man. Now we compare deaths”.@Anthony also wrote: “He said the death is not enough I’m done “.@Stanley: “Is dying part of an electoral process since we now compare deaths?”.@Folarin_Bobo: “So it should be a competition….. useless people.”