(Photo credit: AFP).

Initial results have started trickling in Nigeria’s most competitive general election since it transitioned to democracy 24 years ago.

Saturday’s polls went relatively smoothly but were hampered by delays and some instances of violence.

Results from just one state out of 36 states and a federal capital territory have been announced.

The candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, won the small south-western state of Ekiti.

But it’s still too early to predict who will win the presidency.

The results announcement came more than 24 hours after polls officially closed, despite a new electronic system meant to speed up the publication of data from polling stations.

The delay has fuelled rumours of foul play in a country with a history of ballot rigging and vote buying.

The parties of the two main opposition candidates, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party, and surprise third candidate, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, have condemned the delay.

The electoral commission has apologised for the slow pace of the new electronic system, blaming teething problems.

Nigeria’s next president will have a number of challenges to tackle including an ailing economy and rising insecurity.