Tension in Nigeria as judges present election ruling

The ruling to determine the winner of the 25 February presidential election in Nigeria is under way in Abuja.

The court will decide on the petitions brought before it by opposition candidates of the People’s Democratic Party, the Labour Party and the Allied People’s Movement seeking to overturn the declaration of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the election.

Expectations of the ruling have sparked tension across the country following the the deeply polarising election.

In the capital, large number of soldiers and police personnel have mounted road blocks at strategic locations within the city centre and the surrounding communities. There appear to be fears the judgement could trigger protests, depending on who loses out today.

The proceedings are being televised live in order to be fully transparent, the court said - though it did decline to allow live broadcasts during the hearing stages when lawyers made their presentations.