News Wrap: Nigeria counts ballots after challenging Election Day

Lisa Desjardins:

Good evening and hello. I'm Lisa Desjardins. John Yang is away. Some interstates out west remain shut down. And today, Yosemite National Park announced it will be closed until midweek due to the snow, wind and freezing winter weather that is still packing a wallop.

Los Angeles iconic. Hollywood sign was shrouded in fog and snow as the storm made its way across California. At higher elevations, there were blizzard conditions in some places. To the east, Michigan was thawing out after a massive ice storm. Almost 400,000 people are still without power there.

President Biden has ordered federal teams to go door to door in East Palestine, Ohio, making sure families there have what they need in the wake of the toxic train derailment that happened three weeks ago. Last night, hundreds of worried residents packed a local high school auditorium to hear activists and attorneys, including Erin Brockovich raise potential dangers and litigation.

Africa's largest democracy in Nigeria held its presidential election today. From the start, there were reports across the country of delayed poll openings, stolen ballots, and even violence. Ali Rogin reports.

Ali Rogin:

Across Nigeria today, voters worried that an election delayed would mean democracy denied.

Nadisat Aliyu, Teacher:

Yeah I'm really disappointed because they said it would start at 8 AM and up 'til now, I think it is 12 PM, we have not started casting our votes.

Ali Rogin:

Many polling places opened late. Others came under attack. This Associated Press camera was filming shooters opened fire at this location in Lagos and then fled with ballot boxes.

No Name Given:

Can you see what is happening now? They want to make sure they suppress others from voting. This is unfair. This is madness. This is not civilization.

Ali Rogin:

Nigeria's Election Commission had touted new measures this year to reduce election fraud and corruption. They said polls would stay open late to make up for the delays. Amidst the chaotic scenes, some optimism remained, especially among young voters.

Odinko Ijeoma, Voter:

Many people came out, they want to take back their country. That's so they all turned off to vote. For me, I was excited. Like, I woke up this morning, I was so excited. I was like, okay, history is going to be made today.

Ali Rogin:

Nigeria hasn't had an election this competitive since it became a democracy in 1999. Bola Tinubu represents the current ruling party. And Atiku Abubakar is the candidate for the primary opposition party. Both men are in their seventies and are seen as all old guard politicians. Then there's Peter Obi, a former state governor who has mobilized young people and is the first 3rd party candidate who stands a chance at victory.

Peter Obi, Labour Party Presidential Candidate:

It's an existential election. The country is going through a very difficult time.

Ali Rogin:

Those difficulties include cash and fuel shortages, sky-high unemployment, and instability fueled by terrorists and violent insurgents.

The election results were already expected to take several days, but today's chaos likely means Nigerians will have to wait even longer to know who will serve as their next president. For "PBS News Weekend," I'm Ali Rogin.

Lisa Desjardins:

In the U.S. concern about suicide in the military has risen so much that an independent government committee is recommending the Pentagon launch new rules around guns. The committee, appointed by Congress last year recommends waiting periods for purchasing firearms on military property, raising the minimum age for purchasing guns and ammunition to 25, and requiring anyone living in military housing to register all privately owned firearms. 66% of all active-duty military suicides involve the use of firearms.

It may soon be easier to test for the flu and COVID-19, the FDA has approved the first combination test for both diseases that can be used at home. Nasal swab results appear in about 30 minutes, and the kits will not need a prescription.

And a passing of note. The country's first Arab American Senator, James Abourezk died last night at his home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Raised by Lebanese parents on an Indian reservation, Abourezk served single terms in the House and Senate in the 70s.

While in office, the Democrat fought to prevent the separation of Native American families and was an outspoken critic of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. James Abourezk was 92 years old.

Still to come on "PBS News Weekend," what's causing the shortages of some kids medicines and baby formula? And the pioneering pilot who first tried to break NASA's racial barrier?