Counting of votes underway in Nigeria’s election, dubbed the ‘largest democratic exercise in Africa’.

This year’s Nigeria’s presidential election is the closest since the country’s military rule ended in 1999.

Despite some hiccups especially in Lagos, reports confirm that vote counting has begun.

Some of the challenges reported include significant holdups at the polls as a result of logistical issues and security incidents that prevented some voting locations from opening on time.

A large number of young people who were voting for the first time showed up before dawn to cast their ballots.

With 87 million people registered eligible to vote, today’s election is the largest democratic exercise ever held in Africa.

Since the reintroduction of multi-party democracy 24 years ago, the ruling APC and the opposition PDP have dominated Nigerian politics.

This time around, however, incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari’s party faces a formidable challenge from a third-party candidate: Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who enjoys widespread support among the country’s youth.

The results are being tallied at tens of thousands of polling stations across the country and will eventually be sent to the electoral headquarters in Abuja.

Until at least Tuesday, the final outcome will not be known.

Until then, fingers are crossed as Africa and the world watch to see what direction Nigeria will take.

Mimi Mefo Info