Obasanjo ahead as opposition cries fraud

PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo took a commanding lead in early returns from voting that could bring Nigeria’s first successful transition from one civilian government to another, but the main opposition party claimed the vote was rigged and a “huge joke”.

With more than 20 million votes counted in 21 of Nigeria's 36 states and the federal capital territory, Obasanjo had 66% of the votes compared with 27% for Muhammadu Buhari, a former ally.

Buhari's campaign spokesman, Sam Nda-Isai, said his party rejected the results.