Long waits for voters in Nigeria as country awaits news of new president

Frustrated Nigerians cast their ballots late in the evening, hours after the official deadline to join voting lines in Africa’s most populous country after a late start and sporadic violence caused delays at polling stations.

Election officials blamed the delay on logistical issues, although other observers pointed to the upheaval created by the redesigned currency that left many people unable to obtain bank notes. Cash shortages affect transportation for voters, election workers and police officers who provide security.

There are fears of violence on Election Day, from Islamist militants in the north to separatists in the south. Voting was largely peaceful on Saturday, although dramatic scenes unfolded in the megacity of Lagos in the evening.

Associated Press reporters saw armed men drive up to the polling station in a minibus, shoot in the air and seize the presidential ballot box. The gunfire sent voters screeching and scrambling for cover, and ballots scattered across the floor.

In the northeastern state of Borno, at least five people, including children, were injured when Boko Haram extremists attacked voters in the town of Gwoza, local authorities said.

“The threat was neutralized by Nigerian army troops,” said Abdu Umar, the Borno state police commissioner.

Mahmood Yakubu, the head of Nigeria’s electoral commission, said voting would resume later in the evening in places that have seen violence but now have adequate security.

Analysts say it won’t be clear how widespread and significant the delays and attacks on polling stations will be until after polls close.

18 presidential candidates

Current President Muhammadu Buhari is stepping down after two four-year terms in Nigeria, a West African country where unemployment has risen to 33 percent despite being one of the continent’s top oil producers.

From a field of 18 presidential candidates, three front-runners have emerged in recent weeks: a candidate from Buhari’s ruling party, a candidate from the main opposition party and a third-party challenger who has attracted support from younger voters.

It is unclear how many voters have been deterred by the cash crisis, which has left Nigerians with funds in their bank accounts unable to get the money they need for things like petrol and taxis.

Kingsley Emmanuel, 34, a civil engineer, said the lack of cash was a real obstacle for many voters.

“They don’t have money to pay for commercial vehicles and most of them don’t accept them [money] transfer,” he said from a polling station in the town of Yola in Adamawa state. “It is very difficult to access polling units.”

The election is being watched carefully because Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy.

Young population

The city is also home to one of the largest youth populations in the world with an average age of just 18. About 64 million out of 210 million people are between 18 and 35.

Favor Ben, 29, who owns a food business in the capital, Abuja, said he is supporting third party candidate Peter Obi.

“He knows what’s really bothering us and I’m sure he knows how to deal with it,” he said.

Buhari’s tenure was marked by concerns over his ill health and frequent trips abroad for medical treatment. The top two candidates are in their 70s and both have been in Nigerian politics since 1999.

In contrast, at 61, Obi from the Labor Party is the youngest of the front-runners and has surged in the polls before the vote there.

Still, Bola Tinubu has strong support from the ruling All Progressives Congress party as an important supporter of the current president. And Atiku Abubakar has a recognized name as one of the richest businessmen in Nigeria, he has also been the vice president and presidential candidate in 2019 for the Peoples Democratic Party.

Analysts say this is one of the most unpredictable elections in Nigeria.