Nigeria election result: Muhammadu Buhari wins second term as opposition disputes result

Main opposition party claims results 'incorrect and unacceptable' as observers urge patience until formal announcement

Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari has won a second term at the helm of Africa’s largest democracy, electoral commission results show.

The 76-year-old incumbent had a strong lead of 56 per cent of votes before the final district was announced, as against 40 per cent for his main opponent Atiku Abubakar, a businessman and former vice president.

A post on Mr Buhari’s Twitter feed late on Tuesday showed him surrounded by applauding staff at his campaign office, who said they were setting out refreshments of “finger food” amid celebrations.

“I met the very hardworking members of our team, many of them young people, and was briefed on the performance of our party so far in the presidential elections. I am very proud of what has been accomplished,” he said on Twitter.

Earlier, Mr Abubakar’s party had demanded an immediate halt to the release of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission until turnout figures were made available.

In a last-gasp effort to prevent the declaration of a winner, he claimed that data from smart card readers used in the vote had been manipulated. His party called for fresh elections in four states: Yobe, Zamfara, Nasarawa and Borno.

Mr Abubakar’s party has rejected the tallies announced so far as “incorrect and unacceptable”. Mr Buhari’s party has said the opposition was trying to discredit the returns from Saturday’s election.

The accusations have increased tensions in a vote marred by outbreaks of violence, delays and logistical glitches.

Observers from the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and the United Nations appealed to all parties to await the official results, expected later this week, before filing complaints.

The candidate with the most votes nationwide is declared winner as long as they have at least one-quarter of the vote in two-thirds of Nigeria‘s 36 states and the capital, Abuja. Otherwise there is a second-round run-off.

Mr Buhari has already secured enough votes to meet both requirements, a tally by Reuters showed. The BBC reported that at just under 35 per cent, turnout was the lowest in 20 years.

Nigeria is also Africa’s largest economy and biggest oil producer.

Additional reporting by agencies