Nigerian leader claims victory

KANO, Nigeria -- Nigeria's president was poised Tuesday to win a second term in Africa's largest democracy after urging voters to give him another chance to tackle gaping corruption, widespread insecurity and an economy limping back from a rare recession.

While many frustrated Nigerians had said they wanted to give someone new a try, President Muhammadu Buhari, a former military dictator, had the numbers for victory, his campaign said, after a troubled election in an oil-rich nation weary of politicians enriching themselves instead of the people.

The campaign was laying out light refreshments -- "nothing heavy, finger food" -- and preparing for the president's acceptance speech, Babatunde Fashola, its director for election monitoring, told The Associated Press as dozens of supporters danced outside party headquarters in the capital, Abuja.

In a last-ditch effort to stop the official declaration of a winner, top opposition challenger Atiku Abubkar demanded a halt to the proceedings, claiming data from smart card readers used in the vote had been manipulated. His party called for fresh elections in four states: Yobe, Zamfara, Nasarawa and Borno.

Buhari's party has rejected accusations of manipulation, and Fashola called on Abubakar, a billionaire former vice president who made sweeping campaign promises to "make Nigeria work again," to provide evidence backing his claims.

Abubakar, who hasn't made a public appearance since Saturday's election, should accept his loss gracefully and concede, Fashola added. "Let this nation move forward," he said.

As the state-by-state announcements of election results neared an end, Buhari led by more than 3 million votes in a race once described as too close to call.

The vote suffered from a surprise weeklong postponement and significant delays in the opening of polling stations. While election observers called the process generally peaceful, at least 53 people were killed, analysis unit SBM Intelligence said.

The death toll rose after an attack shortly before polls opened and claimed by the Islamic State West Africa Province extremist group in the northeast proved deadlier than first reported, with at least 17 people killed, head of research Cheta Nwanze told the AP on Tuesday.

It remains to be seen whether Abubakar will follow through on pledges to accept a loss, or challenge the results. A former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, said the troubled election has given the candidates grounds to go to the courts.

That route could take months.

In Kano, the heart of the country's Muslim north, there was relief the sensitive region appeared to have avoided the deadly violence occurring in other areas.

"Well, we thank God that at least we finished this safely, without any hitches," the state electoral commissioner, Riskuwa Shehu, told the AP minutes before carrying results to the capital.

Turnout appeared to be lower than expected, Shehu said, pointing to a number of factors, including the fear of possible violence after heated campaigning. The "disappointment" of a weeklong postponement likely also played a role, he said.