Even though some of the contenders for the 2015 Presidential Elections have not made their intentions known publicly, Nigerians that follow the political scene quite well understand that they are keenly interested from their body language and press mentions. Many people consider the incumbent president to have the upper hand given that he does not have much of a competition in his political party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP). The All Progressives Congress (APC), on the other hand, has not given an inkling regarding whom it intends to field as its candidate in the presidential polls. Former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who has contested albeit unsuccessfully three consecutive times (2003, 2007, 2011), is gradually losing some of the appeal he had due to his age. Other challengers in the race are Sen. Olubukola Saraki; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State.

President Goodluck Jonathan (PDP)
Age: 56 years
Academic Background: Zoologist, University of Port Harcourt
Experience:
Vice President of Nigeria from 29 May 2007 to 6 May 2010
Governor of Bayelsa State from 9 December 2005 – 28 May 2007
Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State from 29 May 1999 to 9 December 2005
Initiatives:
Roadmap for Power Sector Reform
Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria
Agricultural Transformation
Electoral Transformation
Strengths:
Strong relationship with youths; up-to-date with contemporary developments across the world; intuitive; patience, action-oriented; respect for the rule of law; concern for mass welfare
Weaknesses: Soft-spoken, perceived as soft on matters requiring dictatorship


Olubukola Saraki (APC)
Age: 51 years
Academic Background: M.B.B.S, University of London
Experience:
Senator, Kwara Central from 29 May 2011 to date
Governor of Kwara State from 29 May 2003 to 29 May 2011
Strengths:
Young, technocrat
Weaknesses:
Perceived as one of the politicians in the class of those that are in politics for the immediate gain to their family.

Atiku Abubakar (APC)
Age: 68 years
Academic Background: Law Diploma, Ahmadu Bello University Institute of Administration
Experience: Vice President of Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007

Strengths: Philanthropist
Weaknesses: “In 2002 Atiku donated $750,000 to the National Peace Corps Association in the United States to fund a new initiative featuring global leaders who will discuss Peace Corps’ impact.” It was the largest ever individual donation in the Association’s history. (Source: http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/2012/08/atiku-abubakar-global-leaders-program/)


Gen. Muhammadu Buhari
Age: 72
Educational Background: Nigerian Military Training College, Kaduna; Mons Officer Cadet School, Aldershot, United Kingdom; Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, India
Experience:
Head of State of Nigeria from 31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985
Chairman, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, from June 1978 to July 1978
Federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources from March 1976 to June 1978
Governor of North-Eastern State of Nigeria from August 1975 to March 1976
Strengths:
Strongly perceived as an anti-corruption crusader; Action-oriented
Weaknesses:
Dictatorial; old; perceived as a proponent of Islamic fundamentalism

Rabiu Kwankwaso
Age: 58 years
Educational Background: Ph.D from University of Maiduguri
Experience:
Governor of Kano State from 2011 to present
Minister of Defence from 2003 to 2006
Special Adviser to the President on Dafur and Somalia from 2006 to 2007
Governor of Kano State from 1999 to 2003
Strengths: Vocal; action-oriented; stern and firm; Strong proponent of economical development. Made strides in health, education, and agricultural development in Kano State.
Weaknesses: Unknown