Counting below means in governor polls marred by violence

Votes are being counted in Nigeria a day after violence and delays marred the governor and states meeting elections in some components of the nation.

A couple of states, together with Lagos, are permitting voting for a second day.

Some 800 candidates are contesting the influential governor and state meeting seats.

The ballot comes three weeks after a contentious presidential election which the opposition allege was rigged in favour of the winner Bola Tinubu.

The previous governor of Lagos, who was the ruling celebration candidate, received 37% of the vote however Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, the second and third-placed candidates, vowed to go to courtroom to problem the consequence.

Whereas admitting there had been challenges working the 25 February ballot, Nigeria’s Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee has dismissed allegations of bias.

The 2 opposition candidates have till 31 March to file a petition difficult the presidential outcomes.

Saturday’s elections have been performed in 28 of Nigeria’s 36 states which weren’t affected by electoral disputes in earlier votes.

Regardless of the police imposing a number of safety measures together with restrictions on car actions, quite a few incidents have been reported on Saturday in Lagos the place some polling stations have been attacked by gangs who additionally snatched poll papers.

The extremely contested elections have led to ethnic rigidity amongst supporters of the principle candidates, with some sharing on-line how they have been prevented from voting due to their identification or celebration affiliation.

Related assaults and alleged discrimination have been additionally reported in Sokoto state within the north-west, Kano within the north, and Port Harcourt within the Niger Delta.

The scenario is calmer on Sunday in areas the place the election was postponed to a second day.

Political events see state elections as a option to flex their power, as Nigeria’s governors are a few of the nation’s strongest politicians answerable for multi-million greenback budgets.

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Observers are watching to see if Mr Obi’s new Labour Celebration, which has excited thousands and thousands of younger folks, can decide up some seats in states dominated by the ruling APC and primary opposition PDP. Focus is very on Lagos the place Mr Obi received the state.

The elections have taken place as Nigeria experiences a worsening economic system and value of residing disaster.

A rising insecurity menace pushed by armed teams, together with bandits who kidnap for ransom, has additionally gripped Africa’s most populous nation.