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Nigeria election 2015: APC declares victory for Muhammadu Buhari Nigeria election 2015: APC declares victory for Muhammadu Buhari
(35 minutes later)
Nigeria's All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared its candidate Muhammadu Buhari as victorious in Nigeria's bitterly contested presidential election today, and said that the country was “witnessing history”.Nigeria's All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared its candidate Muhammadu Buhari as victorious in Nigeria's bitterly contested presidential election today, and said that the country was “witnessing history”.
Results are showing that the 72-year-old former military leader has stormed ahead in the polls which saw tens of millions of Nigerians turn out for the closest political contest Africa's biggest economy has ever seen, the Associated Press (AP) reported. The 72-year-old former military leader has stormed ahead in the polls, which saw tens of millions of Nigerians turn out for the closest political contest Africa's biggest economy has ever seen.
With just one of 36 states left to declare, Buhari's APC had 15.1 million votes versus 11.7 for Jonathan and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), according to a Reuters tally. With just one of 36 states left to declare, Buhari's APC has 15.1 million votes versus 11.7 for President Goodluck Jonathan and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), according to a Reuters tally.
APC spokesman Lai Mohammed, who was at the house in the capital where Buhari, 72, was watching the results come in, told Reuters: "This is the first time in Nigeria that a sitting government will be voted out of power using purely democratic means. The battle for government between Jonathan, a southern Christian, and Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim former general, divided Nigeria along ethnic, regional and religious lines.
APC spokesman Lai Mohammed, who was at the house in the capital where Buhari was watching the results come in, told Reuters: "This is the first time in Nigeria that a sitting government will be voted out of power using purely democratic means.
"The people of Nigeria have taken over," he said. He said the APC had no reason to doubt that President Goodluck Jonathan would concede defeat."The people of Nigeria have taken over," he said. He said the APC had no reason to doubt that President Goodluck Jonathan would concede defeat.
"He said several times that he would relinquish power if he was voted out in a free and fair election," Mohammed said."He said several times that he would relinquish power if he was voted out in a free and fair election," Mohammed said.
But another spokesman for Buhari expressed concerns over alleged government "tricks".But another spokesman for Buhari expressed concerns over alleged government "tricks".
Garba Shehu told AP that the opposition candidate's polling agents across the country say Buhari has succeeded in defeating President Goodluck Jonathan.Garba Shehu told AP that the opposition candidate's polling agents across the country say Buhari has succeeded in defeating President Goodluck Jonathan.
"As for the election, we have won it," said Shehu. "We are not out of the woods yet, we don't know what tricks the government is going to play.""As for the election, we have won it," said Shehu. "We are not out of the woods yet, we don't know what tricks the government is going to play."
The PDP has not yet made a comment on Buhari's win.
The result comes after polling day spilled over from Saturday into Sunday, following a spate of technical issues that left potential voters waiting for hours.The result comes after polling day spilled over from Saturday into Sunday, following a spate of technical issues that left potential voters waiting for hours.
However, in the face of late-arriving ballots, technical accreditation issues, and violent attacks by insurgents, reports from the ground indicated that the atmosphere around polling stations was positive.However, in the face of late-arriving ballots, technical accreditation issues, and violent attacks by insurgents, reports from the ground indicated that the atmosphere around polling stations was positive.
Following the difficulties election, the international community - including the UK and the US - warned of signs of political meddling in the final tally. Following the difficulties, the international community - including the UK and the US - warned of signs of political meddling in the final tally.
More to follow Buhari previously ruled Nigeria as a general from 1983 to 1985, before he was ousted by General Ibrahim Babangida. He has since declared himself a convert to democracy and has run and lost in several previous elections.
The result ends Jonathan's five-year-tenure, and makes him the first incumbent to lose an election in Nigeria. His rule has been marred by corruption scandals, but also the increasing threat from Boko Haram Islamist militants in the northeast, who have killed thousands of people.
Additional reporting by AP and Reuters