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Last chance for Nigeria poll bid Last chance for Nigeria poll bid
(10 minutes later)
Nigeria's Vice-President Atiku Abubakar goes to the Supreme Court shortly in what is seen as his last chance to take part in Saturday's presidential poll.Nigeria's Vice-President Atiku Abubakar goes to the Supreme Court shortly in what is seen as his last chance to take part in Saturday's presidential poll.
He is challenging his disqualification over corruption allegations, which he says are politically motivated.He is challenging his disqualification over corruption allegations, which he says are politically motivated.
The strongest remaining opposition candidate has told the BBC he is not confident the election will be fair.The strongest remaining opposition candidate has told the BBC he is not confident the election will be fair.
The ruling party is doing well in last Saturday's state governorship contests, winning 15 of the 22 declared. The ruling party has won a clear majority of the state governorship contests held on Saturday.
Opposition supporters took to the streets in parts of the country on Sunday, claiming the results had been rigged.Opposition supporters took to the streets in parts of the country on Sunday, claiming the results had been rigged.
Tension is said to be high in many Nigerian cities, with a curfew imposed in Kano and sporadic shooting heard in Lagos.Tension is said to be high in many Nigerian cities, with a curfew imposed in Kano and sporadic shooting heard in Lagos.
'Thugs''Thugs'
Opposition presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari said election officials and police had been biased against his All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) in seven states.Opposition presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari said election officials and police had been biased against his All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) in seven states.
"To get whole states where the elections were not fair, and where there was violence, is quite disturbing," he told the BBC."To get whole states where the elections were not fair, and where there was violence, is quite disturbing," he told the BBC.
KEY STATE RESULTS Lagos: ACKatsina: PDPRivers: PDPKano: SuspendedImo: Postponed In pictures: State polls Difficult day at polls "The PDP stalwarts are organising thugs, carrying away boxes, diverting other election materials."KEY STATE RESULTS Lagos: ACKatsina: PDPRivers: PDPKano: SuspendedImo: Postponed In pictures: State polls Difficult day at polls "The PDP stalwarts are organising thugs, carrying away boxes, diverting other election materials."
The police say that 21 people died in election clashes over the weekend, although local media report up to 50 dead.The police say that 21 people died in election clashes over the weekend, although local media report up to 50 dead.
The BBC's Alex Last saw men storming a polling station and leaving with ballot papers in the southern city of Port Harcourt.The BBC's Alex Last saw men storming a polling station and leaving with ballot papers in the southern city of Port Harcourt.
He says politicians often hire and arm young men to help them rig elections, attack rivals, steal ballot boxes and intimidate election officials or voters.He says politicians often hire and arm young men to help them rig elections, attack rivals, steal ballot boxes and intimidate election officials or voters.
Political office is often seen as the quick path to real enrichment - a chance to tap into the country's huge oil revenues, especially in the oil-rich south of the country, our correspondent says.Political office is often seen as the quick path to real enrichment - a chance to tap into the country's huge oil revenues, especially in the oil-rich south of the country, our correspondent says.
Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer but unrest in the oil-producing Niger Delta has cut output by some 20%.Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer but unrest in the oil-producing Niger Delta has cut output by some 20%.
Mr Abubakar's Action Congress has retained control of the state of Lagos, the commercial capital. The PDP has won 26 of the 32 states declared so far.
The small Progressive People's Alliance has won in the south-eastern Abia State and the ANPP in the northern Borno State but the PDP has won all the other states declared, including most of the Niger Delta. The ANPP has won the northern states of Bauchi, Borno, Yobe and Zamfara.
HAVE YOUR SAY I don't trust the electioneering process in some parts of the country Macaulay, Nigeria class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5967&edition=2&ttl=20070404114051">Send us your comments The announcement of the results in the most populous state, Kano, has been suspended amid high tension with both the PDP and ANPP declaring victory. Mr Abubakar's Action Congress has retained control of the state of Lagos, the commercial capital and the small Progressive People's Alliance has won in the south-eastern Abia State.
The Election Commission said two other south-eastern states - Imo and Enugu - will have to re-run their elections because of irregularities.
Results are still awaited from Kano and Taraba states.
HAVE YOUR SAY I don't trust the electioneering process in some parts of the country Macaulay, Nigeria Send us your comments The announcement of the results in the most populous state, Kano, was suspended amid high tension with both the PDP and ANPP declaring victory.
Opposition supporters burned down government buildings in northern Katsina State, after the PDP candidate was declared the victor.Opposition supporters burned down government buildings in northern Katsina State, after the PDP candidate was declared the victor.
The state election was cancelled in south-eastern Imo State because of election malpractice.The state election was cancelled in south-eastern Imo State because of election malpractice.
Results are still to come in most northern states, which voted for the ANPP in the last elections four years ago.
The presidential contest should see the first time one civilian administration hands power to another since Nigeria's independence from Britain in 1960.The presidential contest should see the first time one civilian administration hands power to another since Nigeria's independence from Britain in 1960.
President Olusegun Obasanjo is standing down after two terms in office.President Olusegun Obasanjo is standing down after two terms in office.