Nigeria ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party has thanked Nigerians for electing its presidential candidate Bola Tinubu, although opposition parties have disputed the election results.

The 70-year-old veteran politician got 8,794,726 votes - 36% of votes counted - according to official results..

The elections were Nigeria’s most hotly contested since reintroduction of multiparty democracy in 1999.

"Thank you Nigerians for electing Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President Elect of Nigeria," the ruling party tweeted.

Thank You Nigerians for electing Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President Elect of Nigeria. #Asiwaju2023 #Shettima #RenewedHope2023 pic.twitter.com/kmsbwX3Fe6

— APC Nigeria (@OfficialAPCNg) March 1, 2023

Opposition parties have described the election as a sham.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party said results had been manipulated, and they wanted a new election to be organised.

The electoral commission said they should take their complaints to court.