Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Nigeria Votes for State Governors by VOA News Polling stations opened in Nigeria Saturday for the final stage of a historic election cycle with voters returning to the polls to elect governors and other state representatives. The concluding phase comes just two weeks after President Goodluck Jonathan became Nigeria's first incumbent leader to lose re-election at the ballot box. The 36 state governors are said to be among the most powerful politicians in Africa's top economy. Analysts say with so much at stake, candidates in the past have often played dirty, snatching ballot boxes, manipulating voter turn-out and engaging in thuggery and intimidation tactics. The U.S. State Department called Friday for political leaders to underscore the message to their supporters that they should remain peaceful and pursue any grievances through the judicial process. The United States also encouraged Nigerian voters to bring the same level of commitment to peaceful, credible elections to the polls Saturday as in last month's presidential election. According to analysts, the vote in the presidential election, won by Muhammadu Buhari, was considered free and less violent than ones in past Nigerian elections. __________________________________________________________________ [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/nigeria-votes-for-state-governors/271 5274.html References 1. http://www.voanews.com/content/nigeria-votes-for-state-governors/2715274.html