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Nigeria Closes All Land Borders Ahead of Tuesday's Gubernatorial Elections

   Kim Lewis  April 22, 2011
   Policeman stand guard as suspected rioters await a court hearing in
   Kaduna, Nigeria, April 20, 2011

Photo: AP

   Policeman stand guard as suspected rioters await a court hearing in
   Kaduna, Nigeria, April 20, 2011

   Nigeria's government has stepped up security in the southeast and
   closed all land borders ahead of Tuesday's gubernatorial election.

   Tension remains high as opposition parties continue to accuse the
   ruling People's Democratic Party [PDP] of rigging the presidential
   election held on April 16^th. The PDP denies the charge, but the
   opposition says it will make it impossible for the party to win the
   governorship election. Violence erupted in northern areas following the
   vote

   While security has increased countrywide, there are some southeast
   states that will be watched especially closely. One of them is Abia,
   where the governor, once a member of the opposition, has now joined the
   PDP. Another is Imo State, where the opposition accuses the governor,
   also a former opposition party member, of intimidating opposition
   candidates -- a charge he denies.

   Two other states to watch are Enugu, where the current governor, a PDP
   member, has lost favor in the eyes of many who once supported him, and
   Bayelsa, home state of President Goodluck Jonathan, where the ruling
   party generally has widespread support but where, also, those who
   disagree with him will likely not support the PDP candidate for
   governor.

   Citizens are making preparations for the election despite the
   observance of Easter weekend. Many are going from the towns to their
   home villages to register to vote . They are encountering a strong
   security presence, with armed soldiers guarding the entrances to
   cities.

   VOA reporter Chinedu Offor is on assignment in Nigeria. To hear his
   interview with Kim Lewis, click on the link below.