Nigeria's Tinubu says presidential vote to test democratic gains

FILE PHOTO: APC party's new presidential candidate Bola Tinubu shakes hands with Nigeria's Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the party's convention in Abuja, Nigeria June 7, 2022. Nigeria's Presidency/Handout via REUTERS

LAGOS (Reuters) - Ruling party presidential candidate Bola Tinubu said on Monday Nigeria's February election would be a significant step in consolidating democratic gains at a time when some other governments in the region have been ousted by military coups.

In a country with a long history of electoral fraud and a built-in advantage for the ruling party, Tinubu is the frontrunner for the All Progressives Congress party to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, who is stepping down.