From Reuters

Large crowds of voters gathered in Nigeria’s southwest Ekiti state on Saturday for a hotly contested local election that will be scrutinized for fairness and signs of violence ahead of next year’s national poll.

The election for state governor – a powerful position in Africa’s biggest economy – will also be a barometer for President Goodluck Jonathan’s ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which in 2015 is likely to see its sternest test since sweeping to power after the end of military rule in 1998.

People started queuing up hours before the formal start of voting at noon (1200 GMT), officials said.

Written by ONITSHA/Read more at Reuters