Nigeria poll challenge rejected

Olusegun Obasanjo won 99% of the vote in his home state

Nigeria's Supreme Court has unanimously rejected a challenge to President Olusegun Obasanjo's 2003 poll victory.

The court concluded that the election was conducted in compliance with Nigeria's electoral law.

The case was brought by former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, who alleged there had been substantial electoral fraud in 16 of Nigeria's 36 states.

The court found there had been some evidence of electoral fraud - but said it would not have changed the result.

The judges also overturned an earlier Appeal Court ruling annulling the election in the president's home state of Ogun.

Officially Mr Obasanjo won 99% of the vote in Ogun state.

Decision upheld

The decision to uphold the overall election result backs a decision taken last December in Nigeria's Appeal Court.

"I have come to the conclusion that the election was conducted substantially in compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act," Nigeria's Chief Justice Muhammadu Uwais said.

Mr Obasanjo defeated Gen Buhari in presidential polls in April 2003, taking more than 60% of the vote.

It was the second democratic election after 15 years of brutal military rule.