Dozens killed as Nigeria counts results of poll

Abuja, Nigeria – At least 27 people were killed and several others injured on Saturday, as violence marred Nigeria’s delayed presidential and legislative polls.

On Sunday, the Election Network group said the outbreak of violence was “worrying” and that the authorities had been warned about the risk, as another civil society group said the death toll could be as high as 35.

“Prior to the polls, we tracked 251 election related deaths and circulated it to the relevant stakeholders, so the warning signals are there but nothing was done about it,” Election Network lead strategist Adewunmi Emoruwa said.

“[The] government must now show strong will to prosecute [the] agents responsible for the violence, otherwise we might witness a resort to self help by citizens, which could potentially escalate the situation and lead to more deaths post elections,” he added

Violence affected areas in the country’s restive northeast prior to polling on Saturday.

There were explosions early Saturday in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, which has come under repeated attacks by the Boko Haram.

Residents of Geidam in neighbouring Yobe state were forced to flee their homes into the bush before polls opened.

Some ballot collection centres in southern Nigeria were attacked overnight as results trickled in.

Vote delays

Late delivery of voting materials affected polling as Nigerians turned out en masse to vote in what is expected to be the closest presidential election in the country’s political history.

The elections were marred by delays in delivery of voting materials and attacks.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is investigating allegations of violence and theft of electoral materials during Saturday’s closely-fought presidential and legislative elections.

The civil society situation room group is calling on the electoral commission to resolve some of the logistical lapses.

“In Lagos State, for instance, there are reports of disruption of voting by suspected political thugs who have shot in the air in some places and set ballot boxes and paper on fire in others,” Clement Nwankwo said.

Polling will continue on Sunday in some areas where elections were cancelled.

Elections were cancelled in southern Rivers state and some areas in the country’s commercial centre, Lagos.

Tense wait for results

Most Nigerians expect a tight race between incumbent Muhammadu Buhari and the main opposition challenger Atiku Abubakar.

Results from some states indicate a close race but both sides say that they are confident of victory.

“I will congratulate myself; I am going to be the winner,” Buhari said on Saturday after voting in his Daura home.

 Abubakar is optimistic about his party’s chances of victory after the polls.

 “We look forward to sharing some exciting news in other parts of the country very soon, which will confound all the armchair pundits,” he said.

“The people of Nigeria can take solace that very soon the living nightmare of the last four years will come to an end so that together we will get Nigeria working again,” Abubakar added.