ABUJA, Nigeria – Despite widespread problems on election day, Nigerians showed perseverance, creativity and discipline as millions went to the polls peacefully to elect a president and legislature on March 28, according to a statement today by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), which fielded an international observation mission.

This preliminary statement is offered by the international observer delegation fielded by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) to Nigeria’s March 28, 2015 presidential and legislative elections. The 24-member delegation from seven countries was co-led by: Johnnie Carson, member of the NDI board of directors and former U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs; Mahamadou Danda, former prime minister of the Republic of Niger; Bill Ritter, Jr., former governor of Colorado (U.S.); and Christopher Fomunyoh, senior associate for Africa and regional director at NDI.