Initial results of Nigerian election 2023 are anticipated

• Voting has been delayed due to delays and attacks on polling places.
• But turnout is strong and the two-party system is facing an unprecedented threat.
• In some places, voting went on all night.

The initial results from Nigeria’s closest election since the end of military rule in 1999 are anticipated later.

Voting has been pushed back till Sunday in various parts of the nation due to major delays and a few attacks on polling places on Saturday.

In some places, voting went on all night.

In particular, among young people, who make up approximately one-third of the 87 million eligible voters, turnout seems to be strong.

As a result, it is Africa’s largest democratic exercise.

The two-party system that has ruled Nigeria for the past 24 years has faced an unprecedented threat in the election.

Potential winners include Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peter Obi of the previously unknown Labor Party, and Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). There are 15 other people running for president.

Long lines at the polls on Saturday, as well as sporadic claims of vote boxes being stolen and attacks by armed men, particularly in southern districts, where Mr. Obi has his strongest support, marred the election.

In the Lekki neighborhood of Nigeria‘s largest city, Lagos, Dr. Nkem Okoli was ready to cast his ballot when masked thugs assaulted the polling place.

At least five states had voting that started in certain locations three and a half hours after polls were scheduled to close.

Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and Peter Obi of the hitherto unknown Labour Party are all viewed as probable winners. There are 15 further presidential contenders.

Long lines at the polls on Saturday and sporadic claims of ballot boxes being stolen and armed men attacking voters marred the election, especially in the south, where Mr. Obi has his strongest hold.

As masked men attacked the polling place in Lagos’s Lekki neighborhood, Dr. Nkem Okoli was going to cast his ballot.

Three and a half hours after polls were supposed to close, voting started in some locations in at least five states at around 18:00 local time.

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