Buhari Declared Winner As Opponent Promises To Challenge Results

The Nigerian electoral body has declared incumbent Muhammadu Buhari the winner of presidential elections held over the weekend, reports the Vanguard (Nigeria). 

Buhari won more than 15 million votes and 19 states, eliminating the need for a runoff election, the Independent National Electoral Commission said on Wednesday. 

His rival, Atiku Abubakar, won over 10 million votes in 17 states and the capital, Abuja. 

Abubakar has rejected the results and said he will challenge them in court, citing irregularities in the vote. 

Turnout was nearly 35 percent of Nigeria's 82 million registered voters, reported NPR News. The turnout may have been hurt after many people traveled back to their home states to vote the previous weekend, when the election commission postponed the election due to logistical issues. Many may not have been able to afford to return again. 

States suffering from conflict and war had higher turnouts than more peaceful states, a potential sign of suppressed votes, said the candidate. He also said that there were voting disruptions in areas where his party is popular.

Abubakar condemned violence by Nigerian troops during the polling, saying the killings undermined the democratic process. 

At least 39 people were killed in violence during the election at the hands of Nigerian troops and militants.