Nigeria elections should be free, fair and peaceful

When incumbent Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari took an oath of office during his inauguration at the Eagles Square in Abuja, on May 29, 2015. [File, Standard]

As Nigeria goes to polls tomorrow, Africa and the rest of the world can only hope that the general election will be peaceful. The presidential race is hotly contested and analysts agree that it is too close to call. So far, the campaigns have been relatively peaceful.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), about 93 million registered voters are expected to elect the president and vice president. Other seats being contested include that of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The history of Nigeria is marred with coups and counter coups, secession, civil war and militancy among other vices. For the first time in history, Nigeria has enjoyed 24 years of uninterrupted civilian rule. Nigeria has been ruled majorly by military generals and, later on, generals turned civilians since attaining independence in 1960 from Great Britain.