Nigeria’s Buhari promises security for rescheduled vote

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday sought to calm fears about election security, promising voters they would be able to cast their ballots in safety.

"Do not be afraid of rumors of violence and unrest. Our security agencies have worked diligently to ensure that adequate security measures are in place," he said.

"You will be able to vote in an atmosphere of openness and peace, devoid of fear from threat or intimidation," he added in a televised address.

Buhari, 76, is seeking a second term of office on Saturday but is facing a strong challenge from the main opposition candidate, former vice-president Atiku Abubakar.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced a week’s delay to voting in the early hours of last Saturday, just as some of Nigeria’s 72.8 million eligible voters were preparing to go to polling stations.

Buhari asked Nigerians to “cast aside doubt and have faith that INEC will rise to the occasion” on Saturday.

Previous elections have been hit by violence since the country returned to civilian rule in 1999 after decades of military government.

But tensions have increased since last Saturday when the electoral commission postponed the vote just hours before polling citing logistical difficulties.

Buhari's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have accused the other of conspiring with the commission to rig the result.

Abubakar, 72, said Buhari was paying "lip service" to democracy after he revealed he had ordered security services to be "ruthless" with vote-riggers and ballot snatchers.

His opponent said the order -- which won the backing of the army -- was a "threat" and a "recipe for the crisis", while others said he was encouraging violence.

Abubakar said he is hoping for a repeat of 2015 when the opposition voted out the president for the first time in Nigeria's history.