Votes are counted however closing outcomes might take days

Vote counting is underneath means in Nigeria’s tightest presidential election since navy rule led to 1999.

Voting was marred by lengthy delays as polling stations did not open on time in some areas due to logistical issues and safety incidents.

Turnout gave the impression to be excessive, with many younger, first-time voters arriving earlier than daybreak to solid their ballots.

The elections are the largest democratic train in Africa, with 87 million individuals eligible to vote.

Politics has been dominated by two events – the ruling APC and the PDP – because the restoration of multi-party democracy 24 years in the past.

However this time, there may be additionally a robust problem from a third-party candidate within the race to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari – the Labour Occasion’s Peter Obi, who’s backed by many younger individuals.

Tens of hundreds of polling stations are counting the outcomes, which might be collated and despatched to the electoral headquarters within the capital Abuja.

The ultimate consequence is just not anticipated till at the least Tuesday.

At a press briefing, the electoral chief, Mahmood Yakubu, apologised for the delays in voting, however he mentioned that everybody who was in a queue by 13:30 GMT (14:30 native time) can be allowed to solid their ballots, despite the fact that polling stations have been formally supposed to shut by then.

Voters within the largest metropolis, Lagos, cheered as electoral officers arrived at a polling station within the suburb of Lekki almost 4 hours after polls had formally closed.

There have additionally been stories of violence and poll bins being snatched in Lagos.

Though some voters have been offended on the delays, others waited patiently to vote.

“As a Nigerian you anticipate any eventuality, so I got here out with my energy financial institution and a bottle of water. I’ll wait until they arrive so I can vote,” first-time voter Edith informed the BBC.

Mr Yakubu mentioned that armed males had attacked some polling models within the southern state of Delta and the northern state of Katsina, the place voter card verification machines have been carted away.

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They have been subsequently changed and safety boosted to permit voting to happen, he added.

However voting was postponed to Sunday at 141 polling stations within the oil-rich southern state of Bayelsa due to disruptions.

Within the north-eastern state of Borno, Mr Yakubu mentioned that militant Islamists had opened fireplace on electoral officers from a mountain prime within the Gwoza space, injuring quite a lot of officers.

The lead-up to the polls was overshadowed by a money scarcity brought on by a botched try to revamp the forex, resulting in widespread chaos at banks and money machines as determined individuals sought entry to their cash.

The brand new notes have been launched with the intention to deal with inflation, and in addition vote-buying. On the eve of the election a member of the Home of Representatives was arrested with virtually $500,000 (£419,000) in money, and a listing of individuals he was supposed to present it to, police say.

Whoever wins should cope with the forex redesign, a crumbling economic system, excessive youth unemployment, and widespread insecurity which noticed 10,000 killed final 12 months.

Voters additionally solid their ballots for 109 federal senators and 360 members of the home of representatives, with one other vote for state governors in March.

The election has seen an enormous curiosity from younger individuals – a 3rd of eligible voters are under 35.

Mr Obi, 61, is hoping to interrupt up Nigeria’s two-party system after becoming a member of the Labour Occasion final Could.

Though he was within the PDP earlier than then, he’s seen as a comparatively recent face and enjoys fervent assist amongst some sections of Nigeria’s youth, particularly within the south.

The rich businessman served as governor of the south-eastern Anambra State from 2006 to 2014. His backers, referred to as the “OBIdients”, say he’s the one candidate with integrity, however his critics argue {that a} vote for him is wasted as he’s unlikely to win.

As a substitute, the PDP, which dominated till 2015, needs Nigerians to vote for Mr Abubakar, 76 – the one main candidate from the nation’s primarily Muslim north.

He has run for the presidency 5 occasions earlier than – all of which he has misplaced. He has been dogged by accusations of corruption and cronyism, which he denies.

Most of his profession has been spent within the corridors of energy, having labored as a prime civil servant, vice-president and a outstanding businessman.

Most individuals contemplate the election a referendum on the APC, which has overseen a interval of financial hardship and worsening insecurity.

Its candidate, Mr Tinubu, 70, is credited with constructing Nigeria’s business hub Lagos, throughout his two phrases as governor till 2007.

He is named a political godfather within the south-west area, the place he wields enormous affect, however like Mr Abubakar, has additionally been dogged by allegations of corruption through the years and poor well being, each of which he denies.

A candidate must have essentially the most votes and 25% of ballots solid in two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states to be declared the winner.

In any other case, there might be a run-off inside 21 days – a primary in Nigeria’s historical past.

* Extra reporting by BBC groups across the nation.