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Nigeria election 2023: Voting day as it happened
Updates from BBC correspondents on the ground: Nduka Orjinmo & Peter Okwoche in Abuja, Mayeni Jones, Andrew Gift, Simi Jolaoso & Azeezat Olaoluwa in Lagos, Yemisi Adegoke in Adamawa, Chris Ewokor in Anambra, Adedayo Okedare in Oyo, Onyinye Chime in Kaduna, Mansur Abubakar in Kano, Karina Igonikon in Rivers
Live Reporting
Cecilia Macaulay and Lucy Fleming
All times stated are UK
Electoral boss apologises for voting delays
Joshua Ajayi
BBC News, Abuja
Nigeria's electoral chief has apologised for delays being experienced by voters in some parts of the country.
Mahmood Yakubu briefed the press at the central collation centre in the capital, Abuja, after widespread reports of late arrival of voting materials and electoral officers in some states.
The head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) said some delays were due to advice given by the security agencies for the safety of personnel and materials.
He said armed men had attacked some polling units in the southern state of Delta, where at least two voter card verification machines were carted away.
Mr Yakubu said the stolen items were subsequently replaced and security boosted to allow voting to take place.
In the northern state of Katsina, suspected criminal gangs had attacked a voting location, snatching at least six of the voter card checking devices, known as Bvas. Three of them were recovered and the others had been replaced, the Inec boss said.
In the north-eastern state of Borno, where an Islamist insurgency has been waging for more than a decade, Mr Yakubu confirmed that insurgents had opened fire on the electoral officers from a mountain top in the Gwoza area.
Some electoral officers were reported to be injured in the shooting, he said.
The electoral commission would continue to review the situation and provide regular updates, he concluded.
First-timers and denied voters as Nigerians head to polls
Video content
Long queues have formed at polling stations in Nigeria as millions vote in the most competitive presidential election since military rule ended.
Who is Bola Tinubu?
Bola Ahmed Tinubu,70, is standing for the governing All Progressives Congress(APC) party.
Known as a political godfather in the south-west region, he wields huge influence but has been dogged by allegations of corruption over the years and poor health, both of which he denies.
Trained as an accountant, he was once forced into exile by former military ruler, Sani Abacha, for his activities in the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (Nadeco) group in the 1990s.
His campaign has promised to provide Nigerians with “renewed hope” but has also stoked controversy, including when Mr Tinubu accused powerful forces of conspiring against him to lose the election.
Some also say his campaign slogan Emi Lokan, which means "it's my turn[to be president]" in the Yoruba language, shows a sense of entitlement.
You can read a full profile of Mr Tinubu here.
Who is Peter Obi?
Peter Obi, 61, is hoping to break up the two-party system which has dominated Nigeria since the end of military rule in 1999 and is running for the little known Labour Party.
Although he was in the PDP until last year, he is seen as a relatively fresh face and enjoys fervent support on social media and among sections of Nigeria's youth, especially in the south.
The wealthy businessman served as governor of the south-eastern Anambra State from 2006 to 2014.
His backers, known as the "OBIdients" say he is the only candidate with integrity, but his critics argue that a vote for Obi is wasted as he is unlikely to win.
Significantly, Mr Obi, who is from the Igbo ethnic group, would be the first Igbo president in Nigeria in decades if he were to win, the last being Nnamdi Azikwe in the 1960s.
Read more about Peter Obi here.
Who Atiku Abubakar?
Atiku Abubakar, 76, is running on behalf of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He has run for the presidency five times before - all of which he has lost.
Most of his career has been in the corridors of power, having worked as a top civil servant, vice-president under Olusegun Obasanjo and a prominent businessman.
He has based his campaign on his record as Mr Obasanjo’s second-in-command which saw successful reforms in the telecommunications, pensions and banking sectors.
Like many of the other candidates, he has been accused of corruption and cronyism, which he denies.
Not everyone in his party has been happy with his candidacy, with some saying it is time for a southerner to be president, after nearly eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is from northern Nigeria, like Mr Atiku.
You can read a full profile of Mr Abubakar here.
President Buhari happy as voters queue in the heat
Abba Muhammad Katsina
Journalist, Daura, Katsina state
It is hot in Daura, home town of outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari, in northern Katsina state.
The 80-year-old president voted earlier, accompanied by his family, where he addressed the media afterwards.
He said he was happy that the voter card machines, known as Bvacs, were working well.
They use biometric data and he said they would ensure that the outcome of the vote could not be manipulated.
Voting is going smoothly at his polling station but at other places in the state there has been delays distributing voting material.
In some areas voting started late and in other the process is yet to begin - so it going to be a long day - and will stretch well beyond 13:30 GMT when polls are due to close.
Those in queues by 13:00 GMT will still be able to cast their ballot. But people are being patient - despite the heat - and men and women are lined up in separate queues as they wait, with vendors hoping to make some money selling water and dates.
Security is tight in Daura, though there are no reports of people being hassled by agents.
The state has been plagued by insecurity, including kidnappings which has been a campaign issue. The shortage of the local naira currency, following the current redesign, has been top of the agenda.
Nigeria decides: Vote so far
Nduka Orjinmo
BBC News, Abuja
For those who have just joined us a reminder of the key points from the day as millions of Nigerians vote in the country's most competitive presidential election since the end of military rule:
Anger in Lagos as people wait to vote
Simi Jolaoso
BBC News, Lagos
Here are some photos from Amuwo Odofin in Lagos as people wait, saying officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) have not showed up.
Most say they have been at the polling unit since 07:00 GMT (08:00 local time). It is 11.40 GMT (12.40 local time) at the time of writing this.
Whitney Eziechina, who has also been at the polling unit since the morning, says both her brother and father have already voted at other units.
“No Inec official has turned up since morning. I must vote and it must count.”
Uchechi Igwe echoes her sentiments. He travelled from Germany to vote in this election.
“I paid my flights just to come here to vote for a president. I am here and no-one is here. How? We’ve been here since morning! I feel so bad! This is just a means of rigging the election.”
What role does oil play in the vote?
Nigeria is an oil-rich nation, but the new president will have to find ways to diversify the economy.
In 2022, oil production fell to its lowest level in 30 years.
Oil theft and vandalism have been blamed for the loss of output. This, added to years of under-investment and the age of the oil fields themselves, means that Nigeria is falling behind other African oil-producing nations.
Moreover, the lack of electricity in Nigeria - despite the country being oil-rich - has long been a source of frustration. Those that are on the grid cannot rely on it for a a steady supply.
World Bank figures suggest that the proportion of Nigerians with access to power has barely changed in recent years. This has left a huge number in the dark.
No-show for election officials in Lekki
Nkechi Ogbonna
BBC News, Lagos
With two hours to go until voting is supposed to end, some people in Lekki, a residential suburb in Lagos, say election officials still have not turned up and they are not able to vote.
It is not clear where the electoral officials are, but one lady told the BBC that many people had been there since 07:00 GMT (08:00 local time).
People have been chanting "we must vote!" as they wait.
Omosalewa Fajobi told the BBC that people at her polling unit saw electoral officials drive by looking for other vote stations, and that a supervisor had apologised, saying they would soon arrive.
Electoral officials explain tardiness in Lagos
Simi Jolaoso
BBC News, Lagos
Officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) in Lagos have told the BBC that voting was late to start at the polling unit for presidential contender Bola Tinubu because of logistics.
Johaness Makouvia said “Inec’s technical team had to make sure all their materials were with them.”
He said they also had to ensure party agents were at the polling units: “It’s part of the preparation to get good results.”
Excitement as Peter Obi casts his vote
Chris Ewokor
BBC News, Agulu, Anambra state
The candidate for the Labour Party and one of the presidential frontrunners, Peter Obi, has cast his vote in south-eastern Anambra state.
There was a large press pack around them in Agulu, as they exercised their democratic right.
Mr Obi has emerged as somewhat of a third force in the election and is seeking to disrupt the established two-party structure.
Displaced Nigerians eager to vote: 'We want peace'
Yemisi Adegoke
BBC News, Malkohi, Adamawa state
People who have been forced to flee their homes because of jihadist violence have told the BBC that they are keen to vote.
They are staying a camp for displaced people in the north-eastern state of Adamawa.
Hadiza Abubakar (above), 40, is a mother of eight and says this election is crucial for her because she wants to go back home.
She is originally from Gwoza in Borno state, but has been living at a camp in Adamawa for the last eight years.
She has been in line since 06:00 GMT (07:00 local time) and is ready to cast her vote for a president who will ensure her safe return.
Nigeria is currently facing a security crisis. The Islamist insurgency in the north-east started more than a decade ago.
Ibrahim Bura (below) is also from Gwoza and has been living in the camp in Malkohi for nine years and is eager to vote.
He told the BBC that Nigeria needs a change that would eradicate Boko Haram Islamist militants and allow displaced communities to go home.
Hafsat Adamu Mohammed (below), is a first-time voter.
The 21-year-old feels "happy" about casting her vote for the first time.
She is also from Gwoza in neighbouring Borno state and has lived her in the camp for seven years.
She told the BBC this election was important because she wants peace.
Voting niggles in Abuja with fighter jets overhead
Peter Okwoche
BBC Focus on Africa TV, Abuja
The start of voting in some areas around the Nigerian capital has been quite chaotic.
In Karu and Nyanya suburbs, polling units were yet to be set up just 15 minutes before voting was meant to start.
At one polling unit, waiting voters were told they would have to go somewhere else as the one they were at had been "cancelled".
Ballot material were also late to depart the distribution zones this morning.
Things were a bit different in the Garki area of the capital, where voting appeared to be moving smoothly albeit with long queues of people waiting.
Elderly people, nursing mothers and people living with disabilities were given priority but the latter still complained about how difficult access was for them.
These is a very strong show of military force here in Abuja.
The military has been deployed to all parts of the city and fighter jets are flying above the city.
Rivers Governor Wike unable to vote
Karina Igonikon
BBC Pidgin, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike could not cast his vote because of a challenge with the BVAS machine, which checks voter cards, at his polling unit.
Electoral officials advised that he should return later as they had invited their technical team to check the device.
The governor was there with his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, to cast their votes at the polling unit in ward 7, unit 9 Rumuepirikom, Obio Akpor local government area.
He expressed his disappointment that the BVAS machine, which uses facial and fingerprints technology, had failed to function properly.
Excited crowds present to see Tinubu vote
Azeezat Olaoluwa
BBC News, Lagos
An excited crowd welcomed Bola Tinubu at his polling unit on a hot Saturday morning.
Although polling officers arrived at his unit close to two hours after voting started, Mr Tinubu told journalists he was impressed with the process so far.
Everyone tried frantically to catch a glimpse of the former governor of Lagos state who was accompanied by his wife and daughter.
He cast his ballot amid a media frenzy and said he was confident of victory.
Our correspondent, Simi Jolaoso, captured the frantic scenes on top of a car in Lagos.
Disgruntled voters turned away in Kano
Mansur Abubakar
BBC Pidgin, Kano
Salihu Ibrahim and Muhammad Inuwa were excited when they came out early to vote.
Unfortunately for the duo based in Kano, the card reader machine, known as the BVAS and which checks people's biometric data, failed to recognise their voter cards.
“I was told to go home as the machine couldn’t sense my card, I have been voting for years here and it is unfortunate that this year I was not allowed to," Salihu Ibrahim told the BBC.
Muhammad Inuwa on his part also expressed disappointment: "As a Nigerian who wished to have expressed his fundamental right to vote I feel let down and I am disappointed.”
Nigerians want jobs from their new president
The first thing that most young Nigerians want is a job.
Currently a third of Nigerians who want to work are unemployed.
When it comes to young people, more than half of those between 15 and 24 are seeking work.
The economy has grown since 2015, but just not fast enough to accommodate all the new people looking for jobs.
Insecurity has been cited as one of the reasons behind low growth, but economists have also blamed other measures such as currency restrictions and shutting the borders to many imports as discouraging investment.
On the look out for vote buying in Anamabra
Chris Ewokor
BBC News, Agulu, Anambra state
An election observer team from Nigeria’s anti-corruption body, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrived at a polling station in Agulu, in south-eastern Anambra state, to assess how voting is going.
They are accompanied by military and paramilitary agents.
The EFCC team’s job is to watch out for financial crimes like vote buying.
'Crazy situation' around Tinubu at polling unit
The presidential candidate for the APC party, Bola Tinubu, has arrived at his polling unit in Lagos to cast his vote amid scenes of chaos.
There was a frenzy around him, with someone yelling: "Take it easy!"
Meanwhile our correspondent, Azeezat Olaoluwa, tweeted from the scene, describing the situation as "crazy":