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Early outcomes have began to reach from Nigeria’s tightest election for the reason that finish of army rule in 1999.
Official outcomes from the south-western Ekiti state present a transparent victory for ruling social gathering candidate Bola Tinubu in certainly one of his strongholds.
Additional outcomes won’t be formally introduced till 10:00 GMT.
Following widespread delays and assaults on some polling stations on Saturday, voting was postponed till Sunday in elements of the nation.
Voting continued by way of the evening in some areas.
Turnout seems to be excessive, particularly amongst younger individuals who make up a few third of the 87 million eligible voters.
This makes it the largest democratic train in Africa.
The election has seen an unprecedented problem to the two-party system that has dominated Nigeria for twenty-four years.
Peter Obi from the beforehand little identified Labour Celebration, Mr Tinubu from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the principle opposition Peoples Democratic Celebration (PDP) are all seen as potential winners. There are 15 different presidential candidates.
A candidate must have probably the most votes and 25% of ballots forged in two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states to be declared the winner.
In any other case, there can be a run-off inside 21 days – a primary in Nigeria’s historical past.
Saturday’s voting was marred by lengthy delays at polling stations, in addition to scattered studies of ballot-box snatching and assaults by armed males, particularly in southern areas, the place Mr Obi has sturdy backing.
Dr Nkem Okoli was nearly to vote within the Lekki district of the largest metropolis Lagos when masked males attacked the polling station.
“There was pandemonium. There have been bottles flying in all places,” she instructed the BBC. “They broke [the ballot box]. They stole the telephones of the officers. Now we won’t vote.”
In some areas, voting didn’t start till round 18:00 native time – three-and-a-half hours after polls had been attributable to shut.
First-time voter Susan Ekpoh instructed the BBC that she spent 13 hours at her polling station within the capital, Abuja, solely leaving at midnight.
She mentioned when it bought darkish, election officers mentioned they wanted mild to see what they had been doing, so she and others used their car headlights to illuminate proceedings.
The southern Bayelsa state was amongst these areas the place voting was delayed till Sunday – it’s not clear what number of elements of the nation noticed voting postponed.
Harrison Rosaline mentioned she waited for 5 hours to vote on Saturday in Bayelsa’s capital, Yenagoa, with out seeing any election officers. However she returned, along with her two-week outdated child, and is delighted to have lastly forged her poll.
“I used to be motivated as a result of I would like a greater Nigeria. I would like this nation to be good for everyone, together with my child,” she instructed the BBC.
There’s pressure in elements of Rivers and Lagos states, the place some political events have requested their members to go to the centres the place votes are being collated, to stop them being manipulated.
There have additionally been complaints over the usage of the lately launched digital voting system, with many citizens accusing electoral officers of refusing to add the outcomes on the polling models as they’re alleged to.
Nevertheless, in these areas the place voting went easily, outcomes are being posted outdoors particular person polling stations.
The outcomes from tens of 1000’s of polling stations across the nation are being added up. An official from the electoral physique in every of Nigeria’s 36 states will then journey to the capital, Abuja, the place the outcomes can be introduced state-by-state.
Remaining outcomes aren’t anticipated earlier than Monday on the earliest, and probably not till Wednesday.
At a press briefing on Saturday, electoral chief Mahmood Yakubu apologised for the delays in voting.
Within the north-eastern state of Borno, Mr Yakubu mentioned that militant Islamists had opened hearth on electoral officers from a mountain high within the Gwoza space, injuring various officers.
Whoever wins should cope with a crumbling financial system, excessive youth unemployment, and widespread insecurity which noticed 10,000 killed final 12 months.
Voters additionally forged their ballots for 109 federal senators and 360 members of the home of representatives.
Who’re the principle candidates?
Mr Obi, 61, enjoys fervent assist amongst some sections of Nigeria’s youth, particularly within the largely Christian south.
Though he was within the PDP earlier than then, he’s seen as a comparatively recent face. The rich businessman served as governor of the south-eastern Anambra State from 2006 to 2014. His backers, often known as the “OBIdients”, say he’s the one candidate with integrity, however his critics argue {that a} vote for him is wasted as a result of one of many two conventional events is extra prone to win.
The PDP’s Mr Abubakar, 76, is the one main candidate from the nation’s primarily Muslim north. He has run for the presidency 5 instances earlier than – all of which he has misplaced. He has been dogged by accusations of corruption and cronyism, which he denies.
Most of his profession has been spent within the corridors of energy, having labored as a high civil servant, vice-president and a outstanding businessman.
Most individuals take into account the election a referendum on the APC, which has overseen a interval of financial hardship and worsening insecurity.
Its candidate, Mr Tinubu, 70, is credited with constructing Lagos throughout his two phrases as governor till 2007.
He is named a political godfather within the south-west area, the place he wields enormous affect, however like Mr Abubakar, has additionally been dogged by allegations of corruption over time and poor well being, each of which he denies.
Extra reporting by BBC groups across the nation.
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