Nigeria to hold Jan. 22 presidential election despite ongoing concerns over vote-rigging

Nigeria to hold presidential election on Jan. 22

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria will hold its presidential election in January, despite concerns that it doesn’t give the nation enough time to hold a credible election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission announced Tuesday that the presidential election will be held Jan. 22.

Oil-rich Nigeria, with a population of 150 million people, is Africa’s most populous nation. Since the country embraced democracy in 1999, its elections have been marred by vote-rigging, thuggery and violence.

President Goodluck Jonathan has yet to announce whether he will run for the office he took over in May after the death of elected leader Umaru Yar’Adua.

Former military dictator Ibrahim Babangida and former vice president Atiku Abubakar have announced they will run.