Nigerians elect governor in pandemic's first poll
Saturday September 19, 2020
Nigerians in the southern state of Edo braved the coronavirus and went to the polls on Saturday to elect a new governor in the country's first election since the start of the pandemic.<br>The poll comes as Nigeria struggles to contain the spread of the virus which has so far infected some 56,956 people and claimed 1,096 lives.<br>More than 1.7 million voters in Edo are expected to elect a new governor for another four years amid heavy security, with gun-wielding police officers and soldiers seen on major roads, screening vehicles.<br>"I am happy that people are here with their face masks but physical distancing is completely ignored," nurse Florence Okonzua, 28 and a mother of two, said in Benin City, Edo state capital.<br>She added that the way voters were milling together could lead to the spread of the virus.<br>Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, held general elections last year, but there was no governorship poll in Edo.<br>Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said adequate arrangements are in place for the election.<br>"Everything is set. We have deployed personnel and materials for a smooth and hitch-free poll," Timidi Wariowei, state INEC spokesman, told AFP.<br>"We have also ensured that voters comply with the guidelines on physical distancing, hand washing, use of sanitisers and wearing of face masks before voting," he added.<br>Final results are expected Sunday.<br>Although 17 political parties have fielded candidates for the vote, it is a two-horse race between President Muhammadu Buhari's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP).<br>Incumbent governor Godwin Obaseki of the PDP is up against the APC's Osagie Ize-Iyamu.<br>Obaseki was elected on APC's platform in 2016 but defected to the PDP after being denied the ticket because of intra-party squabbles.<br clear="all">
