‘What can we do?’: Millions in African countries need power
March 25, 2023 GMTJOHANNESBURG (AP) — From Zimbabwe, where many must work at night because it's the only time there is power, to Nigeria where collapses of the grid are frequent, the reliable supply of electricity remains elusive across Africa.
Opposition files petition against Nigerian election result
March 21, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A Nigerian opposition party has filed a petition with the Court of Appeal against the ruling party for its candidate's victory in last month's presidential election, according to court documents seen by The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Officials abducted, jihadists repelled in Nigeria vote
March 19, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Security forces repelled an attack by Islamic extremists on a coalition center in northeastern Nigeria and several election officials elsewhere were kidnapped as results trickled in Sunday from the gubernatorial vote.
Reports of violence in Nigeria election for new governors
March 18, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Millions of Nigerians voted Saturday to elect state governors but faced intimidation and violence in some cities amid heightened tensions following a disputed presidential election in Africa's most populous nation last month.
Government: Gunmen in north Nigeria kill at least 16 people
March 12, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Gunmen killed at least 16 people during an attack in northwest Nigeria, the government said Sunday.
The assailants stormed the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in Kaduna state and opened fire Saturday after a confrontation with police at a checkpoint, Yabo Ephraim, a spokesperson for the local government told The Associated Press.
Nigeria opposition rejects early vote lead for ruling party
February 27, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Tensions rose Monday during the counting of Nigeria's hotly contested presidential election when representatives from the parties of the two main opposition candidates walked out in anger from the center where state-by-state results were being announced.
Election results only announced for 1 of Nigeria’s 36 states
February 26, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s election commission announced the first results late Sunday from the country's closely watched presidential election, but it could days before a winner is declared.
The ruling All Progressives Congress party's candidate, Bola Tinubu, secured the most votes in southwest Nigeria's Ekiti state, the commission said at the national collation center in the capital, Abuja.
After delays, Nigerians keep watch for key vote’s outcome
February 25, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Some frustrated Nigerians cast their ballots with flashlights while others stood watch at their polling stations as counting got under way late Saturday amid fears of vote tampering after a day of delays in Africa's most populous nation.
Nigeria prepares for crucial presidential vote Saturday
February 24, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Officials rushed to prepare polling stations Friday, on the eve of Nigeria’s crucial election, amid new concerns of vote buying after police said one lawmaker was arrested with nearly $500,000 in cash and a distribution list.
Nigeria presses ahead with vote amid cash shortage crisis
February 23, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria's election commission said Thursday it now has received much of the cash it needs to carry out this weekend’s elections, dismissing concerns that the vote would be postponed because of the country's banknote crisis.
Could Nigeria’s cash shortage hurt the presidential vote?
February 23, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Voters in Nigeria will elect a new leader Saturday after President Muhammadu Buhari's final term ends, with 18 candidates vying to lead a country facing a series of struggles — the newest and most pressing being a shortage of cash.
‘Now or never’: Young Nigerians pin hopes on key election
February 23, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Frustrated by high unemployment and worsening violence, many younger Nigerians are flocking to a candidate outside the political mainstream in this month’s presidential election.
Nigeria’s presidential frontrunners in final push for votes
February 19, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The leading contenders in Nigeria’s presidential election have made their last push for support, a week before the West African nation's key election.
As the campaign period neared its end, both the ruling party’s Bola Tinubu and the main opposition's Atiku Abubakar on Saturday held rallies in the northeast, where extremists have waged a decade-long insurgency against Nigeria.
Nigerian cash crisis brings pain: ‘Everything is just tough’
February 18, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — No one in Godgift Inemesit’s family of eight is sure when they will eat each day — except for her three kids, two of whom have malaria. She can't pay for the drugs they need or feed the rest of her family regularly.
Nigeria police deploy for security before presidential vote
February 17, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria will deploy more than 400,000 security personnel ahead of the presidential election next week amid fears that Islamic extremists or secessionists could try to disrupt the vote.
Nigerian leader defends currency swap as pain, protests grow
February 16, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said Thursday that the country's redesigned currency would bolster the upcoming presidential election, appealing for an end to violent protests over a resulting cash shortage that has led to daylong lines at banks, business closures and people unable to pay for basic needs.
Nigerian universities to close for vote over security fears
February 9, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian authorities on Thursday directed all universities to shut down for nearly three weeks for this month's presidential elections, citing security concerns.
The National Universities Commission said “concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions,” were a factor in the decision, in a letter to universities signed by Chris Maiyaki, its deputy executive secretary.
Protests over cash shortage as Nigeria banknote switch looms
February 7, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — New clashes Tuesday between protesters and security forces in southern Nigeria left at least one person injured, amid demonstrations against a cash shortage caused by the West African nation's push to rapidly phase out its old currency notes.
Nigeria sees cash shortage amid push for redesigned currency
January 31, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria's push to replace its paper money with newly designed currency notes has created a shortage of cash, leaving people unable to buy what they need and forcing businesses to close across the West African nation, experts and business groups said.
Nigeria bets on Chinese-funded port to drive economic growth
January 24, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has marked the opening of a $1.5 billion, Chinese-funded deep seaport in the commercial hub of Lagos that authorities hope will help grow the West African nation's ailing economy.
Nigeria presidential hopeful Obi pledges to fight corruption
January 16, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian leading presidential candidate Peter Obi pledged Monday to rid Africa's most populous nation of endemic corruption and widespread insecurity if he wins next month's election.
Gunmen abduct passengers at train station in Nigeria’s south
January 8, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Gunmen abducted several passengers at a train station in southern Nigeria, according to police.
Armed men attacked the station in Igueben town in Edo State kidnapping an unknown number of people waiting to board, said Chidi Nwabuzor, the police spokesman for Edo State, in a statement.
Car bomb hits convoy in Nigeria’s southeast; 4 killed
January 3, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Four security officials were killed in a car bomb targeting a former government official in southeast Nigeria, authorities said Tuesday.
Three police officers and a paramilitary official were killed in the attack in Imo State on a convoy carrying the former governor Ikedi Ohakim, Police Commissioner Mohammed Barde said.
Violent attacks threaten Nigeria’s upcoming 2023 elections
December 9, 2022 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Violent attacks targeting Nigeria’s election commission offices are raising concerns about the security of the West African country's upcoming elections in February.
In the latest attack, assailants in southeastern Imo state set fire on Sunday to an office of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission.
As COVID-19 becomes routine, Africa readies for next crisis
December 8, 2022 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Building on the experience of battling the COVID-19 pandemic, African countries are strengthening health systems to prepare for the next health crisis, the World Health Organization’s Africa director said Thursday.
‘God’s plan’: Family flees amid catastrophic Nigeria floods
December 8, 2022 GMTTABAWA, Nigeria (AP) — When the floodwaters reached Aisha Ali’s hut made of woven straw mats and raffia palms, she packed up what belongings she could and set off on foot with her eight youngest children.
Experts raise concerns as Nigeria limits cash withdrawals
December 7, 2022 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Experts on Wednesday raised concerns over a new policy announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria that heavily limits withdrawals of money in a push for a cashless economy.
The monetary policy, which applies to ATMs, banks and cash back from purchases, follows the launch of the West African nation’s newly designed currency notes to control the money supply.
Witnesses: Extremists abduct 17 girls in northeast Nigeria
January 22, 2022 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Islamic extremists have abducted 17 girls in northeast Nigeria, witnesses said Saturday as the West African nation’s military said it “remains resolute in decisively countering the terrorists.”
Nigerian government-enforced Twitter suspension takes effect
June 5, 2021 GMTLAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Millions of Nigerians were unable to access Twitter Saturday after the government enforced an indefinite suspension of the microblogging platform’s operations in Nigeria.
The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria said in a statement that its members have suspended access to Twitter in compliance with a government directive to do so.