Post date: Apr 17, 2011 6:59:36 PM
The incumbent Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has won a large enough share of votes across the country's 36 states to avoid an election run-off.
NIGERIA-ELECTION RESULT - Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan took an unassailable lead Sunday as votes were tallied from around the country.
Despite a strong showing by rival Muhammadu Buhari in his mainly-Muslim strongholds, a Reuters tally of results from 30 of 36 states showed Jonathan leading by more than 10 million votes - making a run-off election very unlikely.Observers from the African Union called the Nigerian election the fairest in decades.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER GHANAIAN PRESIDENT JOHN KUFUOR, HEAD OF AU OBSERVERS, SAYING:
"The impression we got so far is that matters have been handled reasonably fairly and creditably. So, it would be very difficult for a loser to come up with accusations and allegations that would derail the system."
An outright win for Jonathan could ease worries over potential disruptions to crude exports from Africa's biggest oil producer.
Jon Decker, Reuters.