Tension in Nigeria over presidential election
Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in the eye of the storm following a ‘shoddy’ conduct of the presidential election last Saturday. as results of the polls started trickling in, the ruling party, APC is leading two close contenders, the Labour Party who as favoured to win the election and the former ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Although the Chairman of INEC is yet to declare the winner, opposition who feel short-changed believe it will go the way of an old political strategist, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The opposition parties said results had been manipulated, leaving the poll irretrievably compromised. Tinubu is currently in the lead with just over 44% of the vote, official results released so far show.
The electoral commission has not yet commented on the opposition’s demand.
“I demand that this sham of an election be cancelled and we call on Inec [the Independent National Electoral Commission] to conduct fresh elections within the window period provided by the electoral act,” said Julius Abure, chairman of the Labour Party.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has also backed the call by Labour and the PDP, which is the main opposition party, for a fresh election to be held. Various interest and political groups are coming out to protest either in support of or against the electoral process, building up tension as the final result is expected to be declared later today or tomorrow.