Preliminary results have started trickling in, in Nigeria’s most contested presidential polls since it transitioned to democracy 24 years ago. While Saturday’s election was relatively smooth, there were instances of violence, glitches from the Bimodal Voter Registration System, BVAS and logistical delays from the distribution of sensitive electoral materials.
Thus far, results from 202 LGA out of 774 LGA including the federal capital territory have been announced.
The candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, won the small Southwestern state of Ekiti. Atiku Abubakar was declared winner in Northwestern state, Katsina, with Peter Obi winning a significant number of local governments in the Southeast. However, it is too early to project who will win the presidency.
The delay in the release of results has fuelled rumours of foul play, by the parties of the two main opposition candidates, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party, and third force candidate, Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
The electoral commission has apologised for the slow pace of the new electronic system.
Nigeria’s incoming president faces several challenges which include, rising insecurity, general disenchantment, and worsening living conditions.