Nigeria heads to the polls: 5 important reads in regards to the elections

Nigerians go to the polls on 25 February to elect a brand new president, vice-president, 109 members of the Senate and 360 members of the Federal Home of Representatives. Eighteen political parties have offered candidates for the assorted workplaces and over 93.5 million grownup Nigerians are registered to vote.

The elections might be carried out at 176,606 polling stations unfold throughout the 774 native authorities areas of the nation. It’s Africa’s greatest election and presents enormous logistical challenges for the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee, the electoral umpire.

Working with our educational specialists, The Dialog Africa has printed quite a few articles on the elections. Listed here are 5 important reads.

10 elements that would have an effect on the result

The 2023 basic election in Nigeria is the seventh because the present wave of liberal democracy formally began in 1999. Within the final 24 years, Nigeria’s democracy has witnessed some development. However there have been challenges too. These challenges usually have an effect on the way in which voters react on the polls. Ethnicity, faith, cash, historical past and insecurity have been recognized as among the forces that might be at play as voters elect the subsequent set of leaders on 25 February.

Political scientist Jideofor Adibe itemises these elements and the function they might play within the election consequence.

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How one can ballot 93.5 million voters

There are 18 political events fielding candidates for the presidential election, 1,101 candidates for the Senate and three,122 candidates vying for federal constituencies within the Home of Representatives.

The elections might be carried out throughout 176,606 polling stations. To make this occur, the electoral fee is deploying 1,265,227 educated officers, amongst them 530,538 polling unit safety officers.

To maneuver electoral supplies and officers, over 100,000 autos and about 4,200 boats, accompanied by naval gunboats, are required. To cap all of it, that is all occurring at a time when the nation is in a state of insecurity and there’s a shortage of gasoline and money.

Political establishments and governance knowledgeable Emmanuel Remi Aiyede breaks down the logistical challenges.

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Atiku Abubakar: a sixth time contender

Though it’s a crowded contest, one of many main contenders for the workplace of the Nigerian president is Atiku Abubakar. The previous vice-president (1999-2007) is the candidate for Nigeria’s principal opposition social gathering, the Folks’s Democratic Get together.

Abubakar is just not new to the race for Nigeria’s presidency. He has been working since 1992 – that is his sixth try. He was on the poll in 2007 and 2019, and misplaced in social gathering presidential primaries in 1993, 2011 and 2015.

Political scientist Hakeem Onapajo identifies hurdles on Abubakar’s method to the presidential villa this time round.

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Bola Tinubu: Kingmaker eager to be king

One other main contender is Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He’s a primary time contender for the primary workplace in Nigeria, however Tinubu is broadly believed to have been the political kingmaker answerable for the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

The previous governor of Lagos State, Nigeria’s industrial nerve centre, between 1999 and 2007, Tinubu additionally nominated Yemi Osinbajo into his present function as vice-president. He’s generally described because the godfather of politics in Lagos and, by extension, in different elements of Nigeria.

However can the kingmaker turn out to be the king?

Journalist and communications scholar Olayinka Oyegbile analyses controversies surrounding Tinubu and his possibilities on the polls.

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Peter Obi: from underdog to a number one candidate

Chief of what’s described because the Obidient motion, Peter Gregory Obi is a businessman and former governor of Anambra State, within the south-east area of Nigeria.

Obi’s supporters coined the phrase Obidient and have used it to most impact within the 2023 marketing campaign for this first-time contender.

With a largely youthful and internet-savvy help base, Obi began off the marketing campaign as an underdog, particularly as he’s contesting on the platform of the lesser identified Labour Get together.

Halfway into the marketing campaign, he had made fairly an impression and was thought of one of many main contenders for the occupancy of Aso Rock villa, Nigeria’s presidential residence and workplace.

Political scientist Kester Onor describes the enigma known as Peter Obi.

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