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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s opposition demanded a revote Tuesday for the nation’s presidential election, the place the partial outcomes present an early lead for the ruling celebration.
At a press convention within the capital Abuja, the three principal opposition events stated the election was an insult to democracy and referred to as for Nigeria’s election chief to resign.
“The conduct of the 2023 election has been marred by widespread violence, rigging, intimidation of voters, doctoring of outcomes and violation of the laid down electoral course of, which was communicated by the nationwide electoral physique,” stated Julius Abure, chairman of the Labour Celebration.
Whereas the press convention was happening, dozens of protestors took to the streets of Abuja and within the southern Delta state, accusing the election fee of disenfranchising voters.
Outcomes from Saturday’s presidential and parliamentary elections in Africa’s most populous nation have been trickling in, with 14 of its 36 states votes introduced. The ruling celebration — the All Progressives Congress — candidate, Bola Tinubu is within the lead successful six states with the principle opposition candidate from the Peoples Democratic Celebration, Atiku Abubakar, trailing intently with 5. Peter Obi of the Labour Celebration, a shock main candidate in what’s often a two-horse race, hasn’t received any states regardless of a robust displaying in polls earlier than the election.
As a way to win, the candidate who leads the favored vote should additionally win not less than 1 / 4 of the votes in two-thirds of the states and Abuja.
Events have three weeks to enchantment outcomes, however an election can’t be invalidated except it proves that the nationwide electoral physique largely didn’t observe the legislation and performed actions which may change the ultimate consequence.
The ruling celebration has requested the opposition to just accept defeat and never trigger hassle.
“We name on Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi to emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan by conceding defeat. This election has already been received by our candidate, in keeping with the outcomes declared on the collation centres within the state,” stated Dele Alake, a spokesman.
Whereas Saturday’s election was largely peaceable, observers stated there have been not less than 135 important incidents, together with widespread delays, eight reviews of ballot-snatching that undermined the legitimacy of the nation’s polls.
The opposition stated the delay in importing outcomes from every of Nigeria’s 176,000 voting models to the electoral physique’s portal, made room for irregularities.
Their request for the vote to be cancelled was not instantly addressed by the electoral physique elevating concern about rising tensions forward of Might when the brand new authorities is supposed to be sworn in.
“If elections are cancelled and now we have to start out over once more Might 29 could now not be sacrosanct which could result in the declaration of a state of emergency and an interim nationwide authorities,” stated Hassan Idayat, head of the Middle for Democracy and Growth, Nigeria’s largest democracy-focused group.
Related Press reporters Taiwo Ajayi in Abuja, Nigeria and Sam Mednick in Ouagadougou Burkina Faso contributed
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