News Digest

Nigerians vote for state governors and assemblies as tensions rise in south

Nigerians were on Saturday voting to choose new state governors and local assemblies, with the main opposition party tipped to build on its victory in the presidential race. Some 760 candidates are in the running for 29 governor and deputy governor positions, while 5,290 hopefuls are seeking local assembly seats in all 36 of Nigeria’s states. The main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is expected to benefit from Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential win against incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is expected to benefit from Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential win against incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The still-ruling PDP will likely lose its majority of the governorships, partly from the bandwagon effect, incumbency fatigue and the APC’s momentum in regions like the southwest and Middle Belt.

Eurasia Group, political risk consultancy

Tensions are high in the country’s south where close contests are expected in Lagos, Nigeria’s financial heart and wealthiest state, and oil-rich Rivers State. Witnesses say agitators set a polling station ablaze in Rivers, protesters firebombed a police car and opposition supporters marched peacefully in another area where they charge Jonathan’s People’s Democratic Party is attempting to rig the vote. Governors are increasingly influential figures in Nigeria’s federal system of government, exercising near-total control over their states, including finances and projects at the local level. As a group they have become a considerable force to counter or bolster presidential power.