Daura: Nigerians began voting for a new president on Saturday after a week-long delay that has raised political tempers, sparked conspiracy claims and
Daura: Nigerians began voting for a new president on Saturday after a week-long delay that has raised political tempers, sparked conspiracy claims and stoked fears of violence.
Some 120,000 polling stations began opening from 0700 GMT, although there were indications of a delay in the delivery of some materials and deployment of staff, AFP reporters said.
Results are expected from early next week, with the winner gaining control of Africa’s most populous nation and leading oil producer for four years.
President Muhammadu Buhari was one of the first to vote, and emerged from the polling booth in his home town of Daura, in the northwest state of Katsina, to say he was confident of victory.
“So far, so good,” he told reporters. “I will congratulate myself. I’m going to be the winner.”
His main challenger, Atiku Abubakar, 72, is expected to vote in his home state of Adamawa, in the northeast.
Electors are also choosing 360 members of the House of Representatives and 109 senators from a choice of 6,500 candidates.
Shortly before polls opened, a series of blasts rocked the northeastern city of Maiduguri, which has been repeatedly hit by Boko Haram Islamists.
Security sources also reported attacks in Auno, 25 kilometres (15 miles) west of the city, and in Geidam, in neighbouring Yobe state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last Saturday announced a one-week delay to the election, just hours before it was due to get under way.
