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Nigerians went to the polls on Saturday to cast their votes in what has been considered one of the closest-run elections in the modern era. The election pitted incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari, against veteran opposition candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The country’s main parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), launched vigorous campaigning for the presidential and National Assembly seats. The election was hailed as the most competitive in Nigerian history, with Mr. Buhari and Mr. Abubakar essentially neck and neck in most polls.
The election was marred by issues of electoral security. The police reported incidents of gun-related violence in certain areas around the country. Moreover, Nigeria’s election commission was accused of failing to prevent electoral fraud, as fraudulent voter cards and other materials were reported in several areas.
Mr. Buhari is running for his second four-year term, having won in 2015. During the campaign trail, he focused on the issue of security, with a promise to defeat Boko Haram and other terrorist organizations. Mr. Abubakar, on the other hand, stressed the importance of economic growth, hoping to win support from Nigeria’s younger, tech-savvy population.
The final results of the election are yet to be announced. It is up to Nigerians to determine who will represent them in the coming years, and it will be a close race until the end. Regardless of the outcome, the election has served as a sign of improvement in the country’s democratic process.
