Monday, February 25, 2019
Video - Votes being counted in Nigeria's delayed vote
Vote-counting is under way in Nigeria after Saturday's presidential election. Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking a second term, in what's thought to be a tight race with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The electoral commission extended voting hours in some places where polling stations opened late and ballot machines malfunctioned. Now, many Nigerians are watching election officials closely to make sure there is no vote-rigging. Emotions remain high and there are fears that a disputed result could lead to violence.
Dozens killed in election violence in Nigeria
As many as 39 people have died in election-related violence in Nigeria, as the country awaits the results of this weekend's voting in what is forecast to be its tightest poll since the end of military rule in 1999.
Current President Muhummadu Buhari, 76, a former military ruler is seeking a second term on an anti-corruption platform.
He faces off against businessman Atiku Abubakar, 72, a former vice president who has promised to expand the role of the private sector.
The election was held on Saturday, but violence and problems with electronic voting machines meant voting continued in a small number of places before polls closed on Sunday.
The ballot was initially due to take place last week, but was postponed just hours before it was due to begin, with the authorities citing logistics.
Nigeria's 73 million eligible voters chose from a pool of more than 70 presidential candidates, although only those from the two main parties — Mr Buhari and Mr Abubakar — are seen as having a chance.
The President last year publicly denied social media claims he died and was replaced by a Sudanese clone, and also courted international controversy in the past by suggesting his wife "belongs in the kitchen".
The Situation Room — which represents more than 70 civil society groups — gave Sunday's figure of 39 deaths, citing data from Lagos-based consultancy SBM Intelligence.
In one incident, seven people were killed in a shootout between Nigerian army troops and a gang.
Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said an electoral official had been shot dead by unknown people.
The president's office declined to comment, while the opposition candidate Mr Abubakar condemned the violence in a statement.
The number of deaths reported by Sunday was below the final death tolls in previous elections in Africa's most populous country, but in the past most unrest has taken place after results were announced.
What's at stake?
A credible and relatively calm poll would open a new chapter in the chequered political history of Nigeria, where nearly six decades of independence have been tarnished by military coups, endemic corruption and secessionist movements.
"From Tuesday onwards we should have a substantial number of results," said Festus Okoye, an election commission official.
The contest between Mr Buhari and Mr Abubakar, commonly called "Atiku", hinges on revamping an economy struggling to recover from its first recession in 25 years, which it slipped into in 2016 and emerged from in 2017.
Nearly a quarter of the workforce is unemployed, while the cost of living has also risen rapidly.
Mr Buhari has focused his campaign on rooting out corruption, but critics say there have not been any significant convictions in his first term.
Mr Abubakar has said he would aim to double the size of the economy to $900 billion by 2025.
Reuters
Current President Muhummadu Buhari, 76, a former military ruler is seeking a second term on an anti-corruption platform.
He faces off against businessman Atiku Abubakar, 72, a former vice president who has promised to expand the role of the private sector.
The election was held on Saturday, but violence and problems with electronic voting machines meant voting continued in a small number of places before polls closed on Sunday.
The ballot was initially due to take place last week, but was postponed just hours before it was due to begin, with the authorities citing logistics.
Nigeria's 73 million eligible voters chose from a pool of more than 70 presidential candidates, although only those from the two main parties — Mr Buhari and Mr Abubakar — are seen as having a chance.
The President last year publicly denied social media claims he died and was replaced by a Sudanese clone, and also courted international controversy in the past by suggesting his wife "belongs in the kitchen".
The Situation Room — which represents more than 70 civil society groups — gave Sunday's figure of 39 deaths, citing data from Lagos-based consultancy SBM Intelligence.
In one incident, seven people were killed in a shootout between Nigerian army troops and a gang.
Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said an electoral official had been shot dead by unknown people.
The president's office declined to comment, while the opposition candidate Mr Abubakar condemned the violence in a statement.
The number of deaths reported by Sunday was below the final death tolls in previous elections in Africa's most populous country, but in the past most unrest has taken place after results were announced.
What's at stake?
A credible and relatively calm poll would open a new chapter in the chequered political history of Nigeria, where nearly six decades of independence have been tarnished by military coups, endemic corruption and secessionist movements.
"From Tuesday onwards we should have a substantial number of results," said Festus Okoye, an election commission official.
The contest between Mr Buhari and Mr Abubakar, commonly called "Atiku", hinges on revamping an economy struggling to recover from its first recession in 25 years, which it slipped into in 2016 and emerged from in 2017.
Nearly a quarter of the workforce is unemployed, while the cost of living has also risen rapidly.
Mr Buhari has focused his campaign on rooting out corruption, but critics say there have not been any significant convictions in his first term.
Mr Abubakar has said he would aim to double the size of the economy to $900 billion by 2025.
Reuters
Friday, February 22, 2019
Video - Curbing fake news during elections in Nigeria
In the run up to the Nigerian elections, the country has witnessed instances of fake news aimed at tarnishing the names of candidates, parties or even INEC. Negative use of social media has largely propagated the spread of fake news in Nigeria. But how can Nigerians tackle this?
Video - Campaigns close at midnight as Nigeria gears up for national poll
Campaign activities in Nigeria are expected to end at 12 midnight local time on Thursday. Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission set the extended deadline after elections due last weekend were postponed. Rescheduled polls are due to take place on Saturday, February 23rd.
Dozens killed in clashes between villagers and 'bandits' in Nigeria
At least 59 "bandits" were killed by a civilian defence force when they attacked a village in northwest Nigeria, security officials and locals said.
Local reports said the death toll could be even higher, after a local government official said 15 other bandits were killed in the nearby village of Danmarke, the AFP news agency reported on Thursday.
"We killed 59 of the bandits and we lost seven men in the fight, which lasted for almost four hours," Bube Shehu, a resident of Danjibga village in Zamfara state, said of the clashes on Wednesday.
Shehu's account was backed by a military officer in the state but there was no immediate corroboration from police.
The worsening security situation in the northwest, President Muhammadu Buhari's strongest regional support base, is one of a number of challenges to his re-election, as voters go to the polls on Saturday.
Farming and herding communities in the region have suffered increasing attacks from criminal gangs who raid villages, steal cattle and kidnap for ransom.
The local official in Danmarke said villagers were frustrated at the lack of protection from security forces and had been forced to take matters into their own hands.
"It is high time people stand up against criminals who attack their villages instead of succumbing to them," he said on condition of anonymity.
Danjibga is a commercial hub 35km south of the state capital Gusau and has been repeatedly attacked.
Threat to security
The attacks have led to a mass exodus of residents to the town of Tsafe, and even across into Buhari's home state of Katsina, which neighbours Zamfara.
Earlier this month bandits killed 26 people when they raided seven villages in the Mada district, according to police.
Last July, Amnesty International said Zamfara state was "at the mercy" of armed bandits who had killed at least 371 people in the first six months of 2018.
In December, an influential traditional chief in the state urged authorities to allow vigilantes to carry assault rifles to defend themselves against bandits.
Last month, Information Minister Lai Mohammed said bandits were mobilised to carry out attacks and "provoke massive chaos before, during and after the elections".
Security is an election issue given Buhari's pledge in 2015 to improve safety across the country, not least end Boko Haram's armed campaign.
Al Jazeera
Local reports said the death toll could be even higher, after a local government official said 15 other bandits were killed in the nearby village of Danmarke, the AFP news agency reported on Thursday.
"We killed 59 of the bandits and we lost seven men in the fight, which lasted for almost four hours," Bube Shehu, a resident of Danjibga village in Zamfara state, said of the clashes on Wednesday.
Shehu's account was backed by a military officer in the state but there was no immediate corroboration from police.
The worsening security situation in the northwest, President Muhammadu Buhari's strongest regional support base, is one of a number of challenges to his re-election, as voters go to the polls on Saturday.
Farming and herding communities in the region have suffered increasing attacks from criminal gangs who raid villages, steal cattle and kidnap for ransom.
The local official in Danmarke said villagers were frustrated at the lack of protection from security forces and had been forced to take matters into their own hands.
"It is high time people stand up against criminals who attack their villages instead of succumbing to them," he said on condition of anonymity.
Danjibga is a commercial hub 35km south of the state capital Gusau and has been repeatedly attacked.
Threat to security
The attacks have led to a mass exodus of residents to the town of Tsafe, and even across into Buhari's home state of Katsina, which neighbours Zamfara.
Earlier this month bandits killed 26 people when they raided seven villages in the Mada district, according to police.
Last July, Amnesty International said Zamfara state was "at the mercy" of armed bandits who had killed at least 371 people in the first six months of 2018.
In December, an influential traditional chief in the state urged authorities to allow vigilantes to carry assault rifles to defend themselves against bandits.
Last month, Information Minister Lai Mohammed said bandits were mobilised to carry out attacks and "provoke massive chaos before, during and after the elections".
Security is an election issue given Buhari's pledge in 2015 to improve safety across the country, not least end Boko Haram's armed campaign.
Al Jazeera
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