Nigerians went to the polls yesterday in what looks set to be the first genuine electoral contest since the end of military rule in 1999, in which an opposition candidate has a fighting chance of unseating the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan.
Seeking a second elected term, Jonathan is facing off against former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari in a tense race with an electorate divided along ethnic, regional and in some cases religious lines.
Twelve other minor candidates are also running.
Polls were meant to open for accreditation at 120,000 ballot stations at 8 a.m. (0300 EDT), with actual voting starting at 1.30 p.m. and continuing until the last person has voted. With 56.7 million eligible voters, it could drag well into Sunday.
