Opposition wins key Nigerian states, shores up presidential victory despite killings, rigging

Nigeria Police transport election results at the end of voting in one of the polling station in Lagos, Nigeria, Saturday, April 11, 2015. Nigeria goes to the polls Saturday to elect governors and state Assembly.(AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) (The Associated Press)

Nigeria's opposition is winning key states from the party of defeated President Goodluck Jonathan, shoring up its victory at weekend gubernatorial elections marred by killings, low turnout and snatching of ballot boxes.

The party of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari won a tight contest for Lagos, Nigeria's richest state and financial hub. It wrested states from Jonathan's party in northern Kaduna, Sokoto and Katsina.

Opposition candidates are contesting Jonathan's party victory in oil-rich southern Rivers state, where at least nine people were killed, a polling station and government official's house were set ablaze, and several electoral workers were kidnapped.

Many voters said fears of violence kept their friends away from the polls.

Results were still coming in Monday from weekend voting for governors in 29 of Nigeria's 36 states.