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Nigeriaâs Ruling PDP Party Takes More Than Half of Governor Races Declared
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By Elisha Bala-Gbogbo and Ardo Hazzad - Apr 28, 2011 8:43 AM PT
Nigeriaâs ruling Peopleâs Democratic Party won more than half of the April 26 elections for state governors declared so far, while the states of Bauchi and Kaduna started voting today after delays caused by sectarian violence.
The PDP took 15 of the 22 states declared and is leading in the central Taraba state, according to the electoral commission in Africaâs top oil producer. The Action Congress of Nigeria captured Lagos, which includes the commercial capital, as well as Ogun and Oyo in the southwest, the partyâs stronghold.
Under the federal system in Africaâs most populous nation, state governments control a significant share of national revenue, more than 80 percent of which comes from oil exports, and make their own laws. The state vote is the last stage in an election process that local and international observers said has been the fairest since military rule ended in Nigeria in 1999.
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While there were cases of irregularities including ballot snatching, said Jibrin Ibrahim, director of the Abuja-based Center for Democracy and Development, âthe results show a substantial progress in the integrity of the elections.â
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Election monitors said voter turnout in the April 26 state elections in northern states was low compared with presidential vote held 10 days before due to fear of violence and disappointment that former military leader Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim from the north, lost to President Goodluck Jonathan.
Nigeriaâs Ruling PDP Party Takes More Than Half of Governor Races Declared
</b>
By Elisha Bala-Gbogbo and Ardo Hazzad - Apr 28, 2011 8:43 AM PT
Nigeriaâs ruling Peopleâs Democratic Party won more than half of the April 26 elections for state governors declared so far, while the states of Bauchi and Kaduna started voting today after delays caused by sectarian violence.
The PDP took 15 of the 22 states declared and is leading in the central Taraba state, according to the electoral commission in Africaâs top oil producer. The Action Congress of Nigeria captured Lagos, which includes the commercial capital, as well as Ogun and Oyo in the southwest, the partyâs stronghold.
Under the federal system in Africaâs most populous nation, state governments control a significant share of national revenue, more than 80 percent of which comes from oil exports, and make their own laws. The state vote is the last stage in an election process that local and international observers said has been the fairest since military rule ended in Nigeria in 1999.
<b>
While there were cases of irregularities including ballot snatching, said Jibrin Ibrahim, director of the Abuja-based Center for Democracy and Development, âthe results show a substantial progress in the integrity of the elections.â
</b>
Election monitors said voter turnout in the April 26 state elections in northern states was low compared with presidential vote held 10 days before due to fear of violence and disappointment that former military leader Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim from the north, lost to President Goodluck Jonathan.