LAGOS, March 9, 2019 (AFP) – Nigerians go to the polls on Saturday for the
second time in a fortnight for governorship and state assembly elections,
against a backdrop of tensions and fears of violence.
Elections for governors are being held in 29 of Nigeria’s 36 states, for
all state assemblies, plus the administrative councils in the Federal Capital
Territory of Abuja.
Polling stations open from 0700 GMT, with results expected from early next
week.
President Muhammadu Buhari will be expecting to consolidate his victory on
February 23, when he won 19 states to secure a second, four-year term of
office.
His All Progressives Congress (APC) currently controls 22 states while the
main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 13. The All Progressives
Grand Alliance (APGA) has one.
Governors are powerful and influential figures in Nigeria’s federal
politics, controlling state finances, where they are responsible for key
areas including education to health.
They can also provide a strong collective voice in Abuja.
State-level elections are often predicted to broadly mirror presidential
polling and this year come amid concerns about the role of security forces
during the vote.
During the presidential and parliamentary polling, there were reports of
violence, vote-buying, voter intimidation and ballot box vandalism in some
states.
At least 53 people were killed, according to the Situation Room umbrella
group of more than 70 civil society monitoring groups, which said safety
fears contributed to a low turnout.
It said on Thursday there was a “worrying trend of increased and excessive
involvement of the military and security officials in elections”.
– Rivers –
The Situation Room said last month’s poll did not meet the minimum standard
for a credible election, although most domestic and international observers
disagreed.
Delays in voting and disruption in parts of the country saw the PDP and its
beaten candidate Atiku Abubakar brand the results a “sham” and take legal
action.
The party has especially questioned the use of troops, which are not
responsible for election security, citing reports soldiers had blocked voters
from polling units.
Tensions have been running high since the electoral commission postponed
the scheduled vote for a week just hours before it was due to begin on
February 16.
That prompted the two main parties to accuse the other of conspiring to rig
the result.
Buhari revealed he had also ordered soldiers to be “ruthless” with vote
riggers and anyone attempting to disturb voting would be risking their life.
Nigeria has a history of electoral violence, particularly volatile Rivers,
in the heart of the oil-producing southern delta.
The PDP governor, Nyesom Wike, accused the military of complicity in the
killing of 16 people in the Abonnema area of the state.
Adding to tensions this time is a court ruling barring any APC candidates
from standing in the gubernatorial election because of procedural
irregularities in the selection process.
– Lagos to Kano –
Other states being keenly watched include Lagos, in the southwest, where
APC candidate Babajide Sanwo-Olu is facing a strong challenge from the PDP’s
Jimmy Agbaje.
Control of the commercial capital is a key prize given its sheer size and
role as the main driver of the country’s economy.
Kano, in the northwest, sees the APC governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje,
seeking a second term, despite being caught on camera apparently accepting
large amounts of cash in bribes.
The scandal earned him the nickname “Gandollar” but is not seen as
affecting his chances unduly, given a fractured opposition.
But supporters have clashed with those of his influential former boss Rabiu
Kwankwaso, who is supporting his son-in-law Abba Kabiru Yusuf as PDP
candidate.
Voting in the religiously mixed northwestern state of Kaduna is likely to
be along ethnic and religious lines, as APC governor Nasir El-Rufai is
running on an all-Muslim ticket.
Central Plateau, Taraba and Benue states, hit by renewewed violence between
farmers and nomadic herders, will also be watched given dissatisfaction at
Buhari’s response.