Nigeria's Opposition Party Declares Victory In Presidential Elections

Reuters: Buhari claims victory in historic Nigerian vote

(Reuters) - Nigeria's opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) declared an election victory on Tuesday for former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari and said Africa's most populous nation was witnessing history with its first democratic transfer of power.

"The people of Nigeria have taken over," an ecstatic APC spokesman Lai Mohammed told Reuters at the house in the capital where Buhari, a sandal-wearing Muslim ascetic watching the results on television.

"This is the first time in Nigeria that a sitting government will be voted out of power using purely democratic means."

More News On Nigeria's Elections

Opposition party declares victory in Nigeria election -- Al Jazeera
Nigeria election: Buhari poised for victory as governing party cries foul -- The Guardian
Buhari leads Jonathan in Nigeria election -- USA Today
Buhari Closes in on Historic Victory in Nigerian Election -- VOA
Muhammadu Buhari Holds Narrow Lead Over Goodluck Jonathan in Nigeria Election -- WSJ
In Nigeria’s Election, Muhammadu Buhari Holds Lead Over Goodluck Jonathan -- NYT
Who is Nigeria's Muhammadu Buhari? -- Susannah Cullinane and Stephanie Busari, CNN

Nigeria's National Elections: News Updates March 30, 2015

CNN: Vote-counting underway in Nigeria in close presidential election

Lagos, Nigeria (CNN)A few months before Nigeria's national elections, both main candidates embraced and promised a peaceful election. That pledge is now under serious threat.

Protesters fired gunshots and torched a local electoral office in Nigeria's oil-rich Rivers state as they marched to protest national elections held to elect Nigeria's next President.

"There's been so much violence in Rivers state that it's just not tenable," said Lai Mohammed, spokesman for the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress.

The All Progressives Congress says the vote has been rigged, voters intimidated and demanded that the elections held in Rivers state be canceled.

The ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, refutes the accusation, saying the election was "credible and the result reflects the overwhelming wish of the people of Rivers state to support President Goodluck Jonathan."

Nigeria's National Elections: News Updates March 30, 2015

Nigeria's Buhari gains early ground amid vote tally fears -- Reuters
Nerves on edge in Nigeria as vote count begins -- AP
Nigeria awaits results in close presidential election -- Deutsche Welle
Nigerian Candidates Locked in Tight Race -- WSJ
Challenger has an early lead over incumbent in Nigerian presidential election -- AP
Challenger Buhari makes gains in tense Nigerian elections -- AFP
Nigeria's National Elections: News Updates March 30, 2015 -- The Guardian
In Nigeria, an impatient waiting game for election results -- CSM
Post-election violence in Nigeria sparks calls for calm -- CNN
Fears of Meddling Raised in Nigerian Election Vote Count -- ABC News/AP
Now that votes are in, the dangerous part of Nigeria’s election has begun -- Yinka Adegoke, Quartz
What's At Stake In Nigeria's Election -- Chris Wright, Forbes

Nigerians Go To The Polls On Saturday For Presidential And Parliamentary Elections

BBC: Nigeria elections: Nation split in Jonathan-Buhari contest

In Nigerian elections, the incumbent always wins. But so far this campaign has been different from all others and this Saturday's poll is a real contest.

Not only has President Goodluck Jonathan haemorrhaged support since he comfortably won in 2011, the "change" chanting opposition has thrown its combined weight behind one candidate - former military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari.

In a country where opinion polls can be trusted about as much as a politician's promise, it is hard, even foolish, to predict the outcome.

More News On Nigeria's Presidential And Parliamentary Elections

Nigeria wraps up presidential election campaign -- AFP
Nigeria presidential candidates pledge peaceful polls -- Al Jazeera
Nigeria election: Jonathan and Buhari sign peace deal -- BBC
Nigeria president warns against bloodshed ahead of Saturday poll -- reuters
Nigeria Election Violence 2015: Dozens Killed As Attacks On Opposing Candidates, Supporters Increase -- IBTimes
Citing security concerns, Nigeria closes border ahead of election -- Al Jazeera
Nigerian Election: Goodluck Jonathan Banks on Fervent Support From Christian Homeland -- WSJ
Nigeria Incumbent in Tight Spot as Poll Nears -- VOA
Nigeria election: Northern voters place hopes on native son -- CSM
Why Nigeria’s Elections Could Trigger Renewed Violence -- Aryn Baker, Time
Nigeria Chooses President Amid Bombings, Currency Crash: Factbox -- Bloomberg
4 reasons you should care about Nigeria’s election -- Kevin Sieff, Washington Post
Nigeria Election 2015: Guide To Presidential Candidates, Key Issues, Voting Process, Voter Security And When To Expect Results -- IBTimes
Nigeria election: What you need to know -- CNN

How Corruption And Policy Decisions Help To Starve The Nigerian Military So that It Is unable To Fight Boko Haram

Al Jazeera: Corruption blights Nigerian army's fight against rebels

As the country approaches elections, we uncover why successive governments have starved the military of cash.

Once the best military in West Africa, Nigeria's army is now struggling to fend off the threat of Boko Haram.

From 2001 to 2012 the military received $19bn. Yearly, that is only about one percent of GDP, even falling to half a percent in 2006. On average, nations typically spend around two percent of GDP.

But in 2014, Nigeria spent $5.8bn on security, a quarter of the total budget.

WNU Editor: Corruption .... from top to bottom .... is one of the main reasons why the Nigerian army has failed in its war against Boko Haram. Throw in a long history of military coups .... I can understand why there is a reluctance for civilian authorities to support the military. Unfortunately .... Boko Haram's rise has changed the dynamics on the ground completely .... a strong and discipline military is a must for combating extremist groups .... and you will have to spend the money.

Nigeria's Presidential Security Adviser: 'Our Soldiers Are Cowards When It Comes To Fighting Boko haram'

Reuters: Nigeria's campaign against Boko Haram hampered by 'cowards': aide

Update: Our 'cowardly' soldiers avoid fighting Boko Haram, says Nigeria's security chief -- The Telegraph

WNU Editor: With Nigeria's elections less than a month away the failure in the war against Boko Haram is becoming "front and center" .... As Nigerian election nears, Boko Haram looms large (CSM). And with Boko Haram now taking credit of the latest massacre as well as threatening Nigeria's neighbors .... Boko Haram claims Baga massacre and threatens Nigeria's neighbours (The Guardian/AFP) .... pressure is building for something to be done. Unfortunately .... prospects for defeating Boko Haram are not promising .... Nigeria’s prospects for defeating Boko Haram look bleak (Luke Harding, The Guardian).