Ashes and charred metal are what mostly remains of the electoral office in Ojoto in southeastern Nigeria, which was attacked last month by armed men. Similar attacks have been carried out elsewhere in the southeast of Africa's most populous country as Nigerians prepare for a February 25 presidential election. Many in southeast Nigeria feel alienated from the federal government in Abuja after years of underinvestment. But now, unprecedented in Nigeria's democratic history, a surprise candidate from the southeast has a chance in the race to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari: the former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES ARRANGED IN SEQUENCES