Posts

Showing posts from February 24, 2019

Vote counting is under way in Nigeria

Image
Due to logistical problems and some cases of violence, polls have been put back to a later date in a few areas.  President Muhammadu Buhari, 76, is seeking a second term. His main challenger is former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, 72.  The election had been due last week but was delayed at the last minute. Whoever wins in Africa's most populous nation and largest economy will have to address power shortages, corruption, security threats, and an economic slowdown. President Buhari cast his ballot in his hometown of Daura in the northern state of Katsina. Asked if he would congratulate his rival if he lost, he said: "I will congratulate myself ." Mr Abubakar, a business tycoon, also said he was confident of victory. The main results centre is expected to open at 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT) in the capital, Abuja, but final results are not expected until Monday at the earliest. Most of the country was calm but there were reports of attacks by the Boko