Tension ahead of Nigeria's poll

Tension ahead of Nigeria's poll

Candidates in Nigeria's elections are winding down their campaigns amid rising tensions ahead of Saturday's presidential election.

Opposition parties are complaining of widespread rigging in last weekend's parliamentary election and have expressed concern that the same could be repeated.

The president has warned against causing trouble

The BBC's Barnaby Philips in Nigeria says President Olusegun Obasanjo is confident of getting re-elected after his ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) secured control of both houses of parliament.

But our correspondent says opposition parties are calling for recounts and have warned of grave consequences.

The main opposition candidate in the presidential election, Muhammadu Buhari has warned of mass protests if the poll is not free and fair.

President Olusegun Obasanjo has in turn warned him against inciting the security forces, threatening to take action of his own.

Test for democracy

Nigeria's 60m voters will not only be choosing between Mr Buhari and Mr Obasanjo, both former military rulers, but also from 18 other candidates .

They will also be voting for 36 state governors.

Diary from Nigeria

Views from the regions

Q&A: Nigeria elections

The polls are considered an important test for Nigerian democracy, and are the first since President Obasanjo's election in 1999 ended 15 years of military rule.

The secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) has sought to ally fears of a shambolic poll.

Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed acknowledged some of the criticisms of irregularities were "well founded", but promised better arrangements were already in place and that essential election materials have already gone to the various local areas.

He said transport and communications facilities as well as access to monitors would be improved.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Give us the real results

Onyeriri Tochukwu S, Nigeria

Send us your comments

"We fell short of our own target and expectations of critical sectors. Materials arrived late, some officials arrived late, polling started late. There were difficulties in accreditation, in exchange of voting cards", Dr Ahmed told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.

In last weekend's polls, the PDP won 181 of the 360 seats in the Lower House and 60 of the 109 seats in the Senate, in results declared so far.