Outsider Obi wins Lagos in Nigerian election but ruling party holds lead

Early results in Nigeria's presidential and parliamentary election have put the ruling party's candidate well ahead but also revealed a surprise victory for the outsider Peter Obi in Lagos, the country's biggest city and commercial powerhouse.

- Jason Burke

Analysts speak of a "bellwether" election that could be a crucial turning point for Nigeria after several years of worsening insecurity and acute economic troubles. Many believe a credible poll and progress in tackling the country's multiple problems are key to stability across a swath of Africa.

Eighteen candidates hope to replace the outgoing two-term president, Muhammadu Buhari, but only three are considered to have a credible chance of winning power: Bola Tinubu, from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC); Atiku Abubakar, of the main opposition Peoples Democratic party; and the Labour party's Obi.

"What Obi has done is pretty mind-boggling. He has disrupted the duopoly of two behemoths, two very rich and very powerful parties," said Prof Abiodun Adeniyi at Baze University, Abuja.

Tinubu, 70, and Abubakar, 76, are seen as traditional politicians representing Nigeria's established political elite. Obi, 61, is considered a reformist who has reached across the country's faultlines to woo voters from all communities and run a slick social media campaign to attract young voters.