Lagos - Nigeria's centreleft People's Democratic Party (PDP) won weekend state elections, results showed, confirming its place as the country's leading political party, as Nigeria took another step towards ending military rule.
The PDP of the former military ruler and presidential candidate, Gen Olusegun Obasanjo, won 18 state governorships, against nine for the centre-right All Peoples' Party and six for the radical Alliance for Democracy with 33 out of 35 results declared.
Millions turned out on Saturday to elect governors and assemblies for 35 of Nigeria's 36 states in the second in a series of elections due to return Nigeria to civilian rule on May 29th. Voting did not take place in one state, Bayelsa, which had been the scene of clashes last month between security forces and residents.