Nigeria election: Buhari 'ahead' in early counting
Abuja, 31 Mar - (ANA) - Partial results from Nigeria's election give ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari more votes than the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan.
However, populous states such as Lagos and Rivers are yet to declare. With just over half of Nigeria's states declared, Gen Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC) was reported to be ahead by some two million votes. More results are due to be announced on Tuesday. Correspondents say it is likely the loser will allege foul play. Nigeria's election commission (Inec) suspended its declarations late on Monday night, after giving the results for 18 states and the capital Abuja. President Jonathan's People's Democratic Party (PDP) gained 6,488,210 votes and Gen Buhari's APC party received 8,520,436 votes.
Several key states have yet to declare in the south, where Mr Jonathan, a southerner, enjoys strong support. The candidate with the most votes will only avoid a run-off if they gain at least 25% of the votes in two-thirds of Nigeria's 36 states. A victory for Mr Buhari would make President Jonathan the first incumbent in Nigeria to lose his re-election bid.  The candidate with the most votes is declared the winner in the first round. The winning candidate also needs at least 25% of the votes in two-thirds of Nigeria's 36 states. If there is no outright winner, the law says a run-off election must be held within seven days. Victory in a run-off election is by simple majority. (ANA)

FA/ANA/31 March 2015-----------