Brazil president, Jair Bolsonaro has lost his bid for re-election as former leader, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated him in the second round of the contest on Sunday.
Results declared shows that Lula, who was two term president from 2003 to 2010, won by over 50.9 percent of the total votes cast.
In his comments after confirmation of his victory, Lula alluded to what he believed was political persecution against him which prevented him from running in the 2018 election.
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“They tried to bury me alive and here I am,” and added, “this country needs peace and unity. This population doesn’t want to fight”
The 77-year-old was referring to almost 2 years he spent in jail for receiving a bribe from a Brazilian construction firm in return for contracts with state oil company Petrobras.
That conviction was annulled and he returned to the political fray to face 67-year old Bolsanaro whose supporters have insisted that “the establishment and the media were against him getting a second term
Lawmakers in Bolsonaro’s party and other allies won a majority in Congress, which means that Lula will face stiff opposition for his policies to be passed.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
