Liberia set to vote in poll to choose Ellen's successor

Liberians are set to go to the polls to choose a successor to Africa's first elected female president and Nobel Peace laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Ex-football star George Weah and Vice-President Joseph Boakai are the main contenders in the race to succeed her.

Liberia, founded by freed US slaves in the 19th Century, has not had a smooth transfer of power in 73 years.

Ms Sirleaf urged people to vote peacefully in a nation still recovering from a 14-year civil war. "Your vote is about you and your family - not party, ethnicity," she said in an address to the nation.

A total of 20 presidential candidates are running to succeed Ms Sirleaf. They include Alex Cummings, a former Coca-Cola executive, and MacDella Cooper, an ex-model and girlfriend of Mr Weah. Ms Sirleaf, 78, is stepping down at the end of her two terms.

UCJ, UNILORIN.