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Obasanjo takes lead in Nigerian poll

LAGOS (Nigeria) April 21. President Olusegun Obasanjo took a commanding lead in early returns from voting in Nigeria's presidential election, but the main Opposition party claimed the vote was rigged and called it a ``huge joke.''

In early results on Monday, Mr. Obasanjo was well ahead of his main challenger, Muhammadu Buhari — a former military ally. With more than 20 million votes counted in 21 states and the federal capital territory, Mr. Obasanjo had 66 per cent, or 13,641,733 ballots, compared to 27 per cent, or 5,623,765 ballots, for Buhari.

The election for President and Governors was a major test of whether democracy has taken root since Mr. Obasanjo was elected four years ago, ending 15 years of brutal military rule.

Nigeria — Africa's most populous nation — has never seen a civilian government successfully hand over power to another. Though it is one of the world's largest oil exporters, it is desperately poor and has a history of coups and unrest.

Mr. Buhari's campaign spokesman, Sam Nda-Isai, said his party was rejecting the results.

``The entire so-called election is a huge joke,'' Mr. Nda-Isai said. ``As far as we are concerned, democracy has failed.''

Mr. Buhari and other party leaders are to meet on Tuesday or Wednesday to decide on a course of action, the spokesman said, declining to speculate whether that could involve massive protests as opposition officials — including Mr. Buhari — had earlier warned.

Nigeria's election commission, meanwhile, promised to cancel results in areas with proven cases of fraud.

``As far as we are concerned, (so far) there has been no rigging,'' Abel Guobadia, the election commission chairman, told reporters late on Sunday, urging those complaining of fraud ``not to resort to violence.''

Nearly half of Nigeria's 126 million people registered for the ballot in 36 States and the capital. It was unclear how many voted, though officials said turnout was strong.

AP

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