Wins landslide victory in the gubernatorial and State assemblies elections of April 11, 2015.

General Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) has once more consolidated its take over of leadership in Nigeria, scoring landslide victory in the gubernatorial election of April 11, 2015 that comes after the crushing victory of the APC candidate over incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 28, 2015 presidential election. The President-elect Buhari who will be inaugurated on May 29, 2015,  enjoys full legitimacy and support thanks to the victory of his party in all elections.

In the gubernatorial elections results so far declared by the elections organizing body, Independent National Elections Commission (INEC) by midday, Tuesday, April 14, 2015, the APC had won  in 19 States and was said to be leading in Plateau and Kebbi States. Saturday, April 11, 2015 election concerned only 29 of Nigeria’s 36 States.  INEC officials declared results of Taraba State inconclusive because the difference between PDC candidate Darius Ishaku and that of the APC Aisha Al-Hassan was 54,881 votes, while the rejected votes from some troubled areas were over 100,000 votes. Consequently, the official said, supplementary election will be held within 30 days.

The results of Imo State were also declared inconclusive for the same reasons as the number of spoilt ballot papers was larger than the margin of victory, News 24 Nigeria reported. Goodluck Jonathan’s PDP was declared to have won the governor post in Enugu, Ebonyi,  A-Ibom, Delta and Gombe States. The PDP that has been in power since the return to civilian rule in 1999, has failed to get a national spread of votes. It is almost relegated to a regional party that is doing well only in the south-east and the oil-rich Niger Delta.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reported 66 violent incidents at polling stations - higher than in the presidential poll, BBC reported.  Most of the violence took place in Rivers and other southern States, where voting at some polling stations had to be extended. Reports say ethnic differences also fuelled the conflict in some areas, but overall the elections have been more peaceful than in previous years.

Nigeria's 36 Governors enjoy wide powers and are extremely influential. Some, especially in oil-producing areas, control bigger budgets than those of national governments in some neighbouring West African countries, BBC reports specified.