Nigeria Election: Buhari Cruising To Victory

Partial results from Nigeria's election give ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari a substantial lead over the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan.

With only five states left to declare, Gen Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC) is ahead by almost three million votes.

A victory for Gen Buhari would make President Jonathan the first incumbent to lose an election in Nigeria.

Correspondents say it is likely the loser will allege foul play.

More than 800 people were killed in protests after Mr Jonathan beat Gen Buhari in the previous election.

Results so far: 

Gen Buhari: 13.8m votes;
Passed 25% threshold in 23 states

Mr Jonathan: 10.9m votes;
Passed 25% threshold in 23 states

Results from 28 states + Abuja
Candidates needs 25% in 24 states for first-round victory

BBC Nigeria analyst Jimeh Saleh says that Delta and Edo are the only pro-Jonathan states still to declare, so it is hard to see how he can overturn Gen Buhari's lead.

Earlier, the announcement of results was disrupted when an agent of Mr Jonathan's People's Democratic Party (PDP) launched a tirade against electoral commission (Inec) chairman, Attahiru Jega in Abuja.

"We have lost confidence in what you're doing, we don't believe in you any more," Elder Orubebe said.

Rejecting the allegation, Mr Jega replied: "Let us be careful about what we say or do and let us not dispute a process that has begun peacefully."

 

The candidate with the most votes will only avoid a run-off if they gain at least 25% of the votes in two-thirds of Nigeria's 36 states.

Gen Buhari has won the two biggest states, Lagos in the south and Kano in the north, while Mr Jonathan won a huge majority in his home state of Bayelsa, as well as Rivers, both in the south.

Gen Buhari's campaign spokesman Garba Shehu told the BBC: "We feel we have won because we have the numbers. We're in celebratory mood but we're not taking anything for granted because of the kind of government we have."