Nigerians voted for state governors yesterday in the last of three landmark ballots, amid deep concern over security after the presidential vote ignited an explosion of deadly unrest.
The vote comes after April 16 presidential elections led to widespread rioting across the mainly Muslim north of Africa’s most populous nation, leaving more than 500 dead, a local rights group said.
Unrest broke out despite what some observers said appeared to be Nigeria’s cleanest vote for head of state since a return to civilian rule in 1999, with the country seeking to break from a history of deeply flawed polls.
The election won by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan exposed deep divisions in Nigeria, particularly between the country’s economically marginalized north and predominately Christian south, home to the oil industry.
Voters in the main northern city of Kano, one of the areas hit hard by the rioting, lined up at polling places yesterday morning, but turnout so far appeared far below that of the presidential election.
“I am out here again to exercise my civic right, hoping that this time around I will get what I vote for,” said Shamsu Adamu, a 26-year-old student. “I have no fear of violence because, in most cases, violence erupts after elections when people allege rigging.”
Most of Nigeria’s 36 states were holding governorship and state assembly polls. Security was tight, with curfews and military patrols having largely brought calm to the continent’s largest oil producer.
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party was projected to lose a number of states and many races were expected to be closely fought, raising concerns that desperate politicians may seek to rig the vote.
Some analysts believe that could set off another round of violence, with much of the initial rioting following the presidential election believed to have started over allegations of rigging.
Nigeria’s state governors wield significant power and preside over large budgets thanks to revenue generated by the country’s oil industry. They play influential roles in national politics and the seats are highly contested.
The ruling party currently controls 27 state governorships, but it faces tough challenges.
In the southwest, the Action Congress of Nigeria opposition, which is in power in the economic capital Lagos, will be looking to gain more ground.
The Congress for Progressive Change, the party of Nigeria’s ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, Jonathan’s main challenger in the presidential vote, appears set to make gains in the north.
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