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Polls open in Nigerian election
ABUJA, Feb 23, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Nigerians began voting for a new president
on Saturday, after a week-long delay that has raised political tempers,
sparked conspiracy claims and stoked fears of violence.
President Muhammadu Buhari was one of the first in the queue when the
nearly 120,000 polling stations began opening at 0700 GMT. He voted in his
hometown of Daura, in northwest Nigeria.
Buhari, 76, of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party was
accompanied by his wife, Aisha, and surrounded by a crowd of supporters.
As he emerged from the polling booth, he was asked whether he was confident
of winning. “I will congratulate myself. I’m going to be the winner,” he told
reporters.
Buhari is seeking a second term of office but is facing a strong challenge
from Atiku Abubakar, a former vice-president from the main opposition Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP).
Abubakar was due to vote in his home state of Adamawa, in northeast
Nigeria.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1347 hrs