Nigeria tightens security in Abuja before declaration of election result

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Pending the final announcement of election results and formal declaration of the winner of the March 28, 2015 Presidential elections, security operatives have stepped up presence around strategic locations in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

With all but one of the results for the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja already declared by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega, the opposition All Progressives Congress candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, is poised to coast home with victory.

Minutes after two of the last three results were declared by the INEC Chairman at about 5 p.m., a drive around town on Tuesday showed that security operatives had already taken strategic positions in anticipation of wild celebrations by members of the winning party.

Four patrol vans of the Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corp and two patrol vehicles of the police were found stationed around streets adjoining the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party at Wadata Plaza in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja. Scores of armed police officers were found positioned outside the building.

There was also the visible presence of the police and the members of the corps outside President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign headquarters at Maitama.

The two secretariats appeared desolate and deserted in complete contrast with its status until recently as beehives of activities by politicians, particularly loyalists of the ruling PDP.

The bustle of political activities appeared to have shifted to the APC Presidential Campaign headquarters in the Central Business District, where jubilant members of the party were already gathering in anticipation of a victory party after the declaration of their candidate as winner.

Security presence, consisting mainly police and other security operatives, was also heavy around the popular Berger, Area 1 and AYA Roundabouts as well as locations like Banex Plaza junction, in possible anticipation of a possible breach of security,

APC supporters were all over the streets in motorcades waving their party’s flag and brandishing the posters of their victorious presidential candidate.

Jubilant street urchins were also seen around Amigo Supermarket in Wuse 2 drumming and chanting victory songs in Hausa as they danced and eulogized the APC presidential candidate.

As Nigerians await the formal announcement Mr. Jonathan has already taken the unprecedented step of conceding victory to his opponent in the election, by sending a congratulatory message to Mr. Buhari.