Upbeat sentiment lifts Nigerian SE index higher

Too stylish for political party t-shirts and caps, some fashionistas in Nigeria are donning the colours and faces of their preferred candidates for a presidential election this month. Ahead of the Feb. 25 vote, political rallies have become catwalks for colourful printed fabrics twisted into elaborate dresses, tunics and headscarves.

This week saw the release of a wide-ranging investigation into the lucrative disinformation industry, published by a media consortium led by the French NGO Forbidden Stories. At the centre of the story is a shadowy Israeli group nicknamed "Team Jorge" who claims it has influenced 33 elections worldwide with a potent combination of phone hacking and thousands of fake profiles.

Nigerian voters will choose a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari and a new government on Saturday. The crucial election in Africa's most populous country has been overshadowed by cash and fuel shortages.

Voting is still underway in some parts of Nigeria, hours after the official close of polling stations. Attacks and acts of vandalism prevented some voters from casting ballots for a new president and government.

Nigerians are still waiting for a clear picture to emerge after a general election initially scheduled on finish on Saturday. The surprise third serious contender for the presidency scored a significant win in Lagos.

Nigeria's ruling party candidate, Bola Tinubu, was declared president-elect of Africa's most populous nation in the early hours of Wednesday after a weekend election that the main opposition parties have disputed.

For much of his political career, Nigerian President-elect Bola Tinubu has exerted power from behind the scenes, widely regarded as a "godfather" who uses an extensive patronage network to back candidates for office.

The disappearance of Chinese banker Bao Fan has renewed concerns about Beijing's crackdown on entrepreneurs. Experts say the trend will cause investors to lose confidence in China.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu has come out victorious in the Nigeria's highly disputed presidential election. Who is this veteran politician and why is he widely regarded as a kingmaker and "godfather"?

Nigeria’s Obi to challenge election result in court.

Bola Tinubu has the difficult task of uniting the West African nation, as the results of the election highlight how sharply divided citizens are along religious and ethnic lines.

Analysts say the acute shortage of naira notes caused by the currency redesign policy that has crippled Nigeria in the run up to Saturday’s election may have reduced vote buying by political parties.