Issoufou assures supporters of first round victory

Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou at his final rally on Thursday said he was confident of a first round victory.

The country holds presidential and legislative elections on Sunday February 21 and President Issoufou is hoping to get re-elected for second 5-year term.

Thousands of his supporters, wearing his campaign colour – pink, turned out for his last rally which was held on Thursday at the sports stadium in Niamey, Niger’s capital.

“Everyone agrees that something unprecedented is happening in Niger – a candidate is going to win the presidential election in the first round,” the President said.

Issoufou is competing with two former Prime Ministers and and ex-president, who have vowed to support whichever of the three gets majority votes in order to ditch the president.

Support for Issoufou has over time dwindled, with Nigeriens saying he has not lived up to the promises he made when he joined the opposition in 2011.

Key issues his manifesto highlighted at the time were fighting hunger and corruption, boosting the economy and improving national security.

To date foreign military bases are still present in Niger, terrorism continues to claim lives of the innocent and corruption is still rife.