Tensions rise in Nigeria as opposition demands new vote
The Hindu
The ruling party has asked the opposition to accept defeat and not cause trouble.
Nigeria's opposition demanded a revote on Tuesday for the country's presidential election, where the partial results show an early lead for the ruling party.
At a press conference in the capital Abuja, the three main opposition parties said the election was an insult to democracy and called for Nigeria's election chief to resign.
“The conduct of the 2023 election has been marred by widespread violence, rigging, intimidation of voters, doctoring of results and violation of the laid down electoral process, which was communicated by the national electoral body,” said Julius Abure, chairman of the Labour Party.
While the press conference was taking place, dozens of protestors took to the streets of Abuja and in the southern Delta state, accusing the election commission of disenfranchising voters.
Results from Saturday's presidential and parliamentary elections in Africa's most populous nation have been trickling in, with 14 of its 36 states votes announced.
The ruling party — the All Progressives Congress — candidate, Bola Tinubu is in the lead winning six states with the main opposition candidate from the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, trailing closely with five. Peter Obi of the Labour Party, a surprise leading candidate in what's usually a two-horse race, has won three states after a strong showing in polls before the elections.
In order to win, the candidate who leads the popular vote must also win at least a quarter of the votes in two-thirds of the states and Abuja.