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Police ban Nigeria poll rallies Police ban Nigeria poll rallies
(20 minutes later)
Police in Nigeria have banned all open-air rallies ahead of Saturday's presidential polls, state radio says.Police in Nigeria have banned all open-air rallies ahead of Saturday's presidential polls, state radio says.
The move is intended to prevent breaches of security, after at least 21 people died in clashes in last week's state elections. The move is intended to prevent breaches of security, after at least 21 people died in clashes in last week's elections for state governor.
The election commission says it will abide by the Supreme Court ruling that Vice-President Atiku Abubakar should stand, without giving details. The election commission has told the BBC that Vice-President Atiku Abubakar will be on the ballot paper, in compliance with a court ruling.
Mr Abubakar says he would seek to have the result annulled if he is banned.Mr Abubakar says he would seek to have the result annulled if he is banned.
He was disqualified because of corruption allegations, which he says are politically motivated.He was disqualified because of corruption allegations, which he says are politically motivated.
It is unclear if new ballot papers can be printed in time for the 60m voters.It is unclear if new ballot papers can be printed in time for the 60m voters.
See state resultsSee state results
The Supreme Court judges unanimously ruled that the election commission did not have the power to disqualify candidates. The Supreme Court judges unanimously ruled on Monday that the Independent National Election Commission (Inec) did not have the power to disqualify candidates.
"I can assure you that he will be on the ballot paper," Inec spokesman Philip Umeadi told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
But he refused to give details about how this would be done at such short notice.
Inec are due to meet shortly to discuss how to proceed following the ruling.
The BBC's Alex Last says it is possible that a sticker with Mr Abubakar's name could be added to the ballot papers.The BBC's Alex Last says it is possible that a sticker with Mr Abubakar's name could be added to the ballot papers.
Armed menArmed men
The other main opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari is holding a meeting at which he hopes all opposition parties will agree to back him in the presidential contest, against the ruling party's Umaru Yar'Adua.The other main opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari is holding a meeting at which he hopes all opposition parties will agree to back him in the presidential contest, against the ruling party's Umaru Yar'Adua.
Mr Abubakar was a founder member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) but fell out with President Olusegun Obasanjo last year when he opposed moves to let the president seek re-election.Mr Abubakar was a founder member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) but fell out with President Olusegun Obasanjo last year when he opposed moves to let the president seek re-election.
KEY STATE RESULTS Lagos: ACKatsina: PDPRivers: PDPKano: ANPPImo: Postponed Profile: Atiku Abubakar In pictures: State polls Difficult day at pollsKEY STATE RESULTS Lagos: ACKatsina: PDPRivers: PDPKano: ANPPImo: Postponed Profile: Atiku Abubakar In pictures: State polls Difficult day at polls
The PDP has won 26 of the 33 states declared so far, including most of the Niger Delta.The PDP has won 26 of the 33 states declared so far, including most of the Niger Delta.
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 in the northern city of Kano has reportedly eased after the candidate of Mr Buhari's All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) was re-elected as governor.Tension in the northern city of Kano has reportedly eased after the candidate of Mr Buhari's All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) was re-elected as governor.
On election day, our reporter saw men storming a polling station and leaving with ballot papers in the southern city of Port Harcourt.On election day, our reporter 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%.
Winning from prisonWinning from prison
The ANPP has also won the northern states of Bauchi, Borno, Yobe and Zamfara.The ANPP has also 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 Send us your comments Mr Abubakar's Action Congress has retained control of the state of Lagos, the commercial capital and the small Progressive People's Alliance (PPA) has won in the south-eastern Abia State.HAVE YOUR SAY I don't trust the electioneering process in some parts of the country Macaulay, Nigeria Send us your comments Mr Abubakar's Action Congress has retained control of the state of Lagos, the commercial capital and the small Progressive People's Alliance (PPA) has won in the south-eastern Abia State.
Victorious PPA candidate Theodore Orji is in prison on corruption charges.Victorious PPA candidate Theodore Orji is in prison on corruption charges.
The Independent National Election Commission (Inec) said two other south-eastern states - Imo and Enugu - will have to re-run their elections because of irregularities. Two other south-eastern states - Imo and Enugu - will have to re-run their elections because of irregularities, Inec says.
Results are still awaited from Taraba State.Results are still awaited from Taraba State.
Mr Obasanjo said on state television that Saturday's vote had "gone on very well across the country."Mr Obasanjo said on state television that Saturday's vote had "gone on very well across the country."
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 Obasanjo is standing down after two terms in office.President Obasanjo is standing down after two terms in office.
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