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Rex
World News

Christians 'anxious' as Nigeria awaits election result

It's the first time in Nigeria's history that an election is too close to call with incumbent Goodluck Jonathan facing a strong challenge from former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.

The winner of the vote could be announced late Monday or Tuesday.

Revd Canon Hasan John from the Diocese of Jos told Premier's News Hour the best outcome for Christians would be the re-election of Mr Jonathan.

"This is simply because when Buhari was in the army a lot of Christians believe that he has been instrumental to the imposition of Sharia law in some of the northern states," he said.

He added: "He's not apologetic about it. During his tenure as a military dictator he has issued a number of decrees that are anti-Christian so a lot of Christians are just not comfortable with Buhari being the president."

Meanwhile Britain and the United States have said some of the counting is affected by "deliberate political interference".

In a joint statement the countries said: "There are disturbing indications that the collation process - where the votes are finally counted - may be subject to deliberate political interference.

"The governments of the United States and the United Kingdom would be very concerned by any attempts to undermine the independence of the Electoral Commission... or in any way distort the expressed will of the Nigerian people."

There are fears that violence will erupt whatever the result is.

After the 2011 election, more than 1,000 people died and 65,000 people were forced from their homes in rioting.

Revd Canon Hasan John speaking to Premier's Antony Bushfield:

 
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