Nigeria is about to hold Africa’s largest democratic exercise. Here’s what to know about its presidential election

Nigerians will head to the polls Saturday in a fiercely-contested presidential vote that analysts say is too close to call.

It will be the largest democratic exercise on the continent as Africa’s most populous nation picks a new president.

The crucial election comes as the country battles myriad economic and security problems that range from fuel and cash shortages to rising terror attacks, high inflation, and a plummeting local currency.

For the first time since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999, none of the candidates is an incumbent or a former military leader.

Outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari is term-limited and will step down amid a patchy legacy that has brought “a lot of frustration and anger” to Nigerian voters, analysts say.

Who are the candidates?
Eighteen candidates are in the running for Nigeria’s highest office, each confident they can turn the country’s fortunes around if voted into power, but opinion polls suggest three are leading the race for the popular vote.

Bola Tinubu
One of the key contenders is Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the candidate of Buhari’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Another is the main opposition leader and former vice president Atiku Abubakar, of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).


Nigeria’s presidential elections have typically been two-horse races between the ruling and opposition parties, but this year’s vote has a third strong contender, Peter Obi, who is running under the lesser known Labour Party.


Tinubu, 70, a former governor of Nigeria’s wealthy Lagos State, wields significant influence in the southwestern region where he is acclaimed as a political godfather and kingmaker.

The affluent political veteran, boasts of aiding the election of Buhari to the presidency on his fourth attempt in 2015, after three previous unsuccessful bids.


After decades as a political puppet master, Tinubu declares it is now his turn to emerge from the shadows into the presidency; his campaign slogan is “Emi Lokan,” which translates to “it is my turn,” in his native Yoruba language.

The ruling party candidate has, however, been dogged by allegations of graft which he strongly denies. Critics say he has also not convincingly addressed concerns about his health, and has, at times, appeared confused and incoherent on the campaign trail. He has also made gaffes that have made him the butt of jokes and viral memes on social media.

Tinubu has also come under criticism for abstaining from presidential debates and delegating questions about his manifesto to members of his team during a recent outing at the UK think tank Chatham House.


Atiku Abubakar
One of Tinubu’s main challengers is the opposition party’s Abubakar, who is running for the sixth time following five previous losses.

Abubakar, 76, who served as vice president from 1999 to 2007, is a staunch capitalist who made his fortune investing in various sectors in the country. The tycoon has been investigated for corruption in the past. However, he denies any wrongdoing.

Many believe Abubakar’s presidential ambition might usurp an unofficial arrangement to rotate the presidency between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions, since he is from the same northern region as the outgoing leader, Buhari.

Peter Obi
Peter Obi is a two-time former governor of Anambra State who is being touted as a credible alternative to the two major candidates.


Obi eschews the excesses of the typical ‘African Big Man’ leader He shuns a large entourage, flies economy class and carries his own luggage. His “no frills” approach has attracted hordes of supporters, mostly young Nigerians who call themselves ‘Obidients.’

Peter Obi, Labour Party presidential candidate, center, and his running mate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, second left.

Obi is also the only Christian among the leading candidates. His southeastern region has yet to produce a president or vice president since Nigeria returned to civil rule in 1999.

The ruling party’s Tinubu, although from the religiously mixed southwestern part of the country, is a Muslim and also chose a Muslim running mate, fueling public anger over his choice.

Described by Tinubu as “Mr. Stingy,” Obi, 61, is famed for his frugal approach and is seen as a ‘Mr Clean’ of Nigerian politics.

However, his offshore accounts were among those found in the Pandora Papers, which exposed the hidden riches of the global elite in 2021. Obi denies any wrongdoing.


http://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/21/africa/nigeria-presidential-poll-2023-intl-cmd/index.html?utm_source=fbCNNi&utm_campaign=africa&utm_medium=social

This thing is clear that's it's only tribalism that will make someone support a walking dead like tinubu.

This Saturdays shock will kill a lot of people

Mr Stingy got me tho..


..But when I look at the billions Tinubu is taking home monthly just because he is Lagos ex governor, and how his henchmen cornered Lagos fortunes with Bullion vans.

And I look at how Peter Obi rejected everything, including his gratuity and the "No Shishi Paradigm" I become so tempted to vote Obi.

But as a professional tribal bigot, yeeboe Ipob slayer and a naturally w!cked person, I will vote BAT.

Illogical article

To the trash bin

If you call Timubu a Regional candidate, what will you now call Peter Obi who all his campaign is majorly centered around religious and Tribal sections of the country....going to Alaba, Oshodi, Okota, and Ajegunle.in Lagos state ...should have shown who Obi truly is...

You can see most of his campaign doesn't center on some of the core areas in the north....but other candidates went through all. of the crooks and crannies of the country without limitation...

Obi's campaign strategy is not centered around some of the other diverse groups...he kept on attending different church services and programs including those to...he wasn't invited...I saw a picture yesterday ...a presidential candidate attending C&S church Aladura....and you can guess what he was tell them...
Also, whenever he gets to his Nyamiri people, he preaches tribalism and sectionalism....
Just laughing at the levels of a campaign strategy that obi and his campaign group are using ...they are hinged on lies and political propaganda, tribalism

The world knows Tinubu as an ordinary south west politician , A local champion who cannot win any election without vote buying

Body different from headline

No sane mind will support tinubu's muslim muslim ticket.

Even CNN knows

.

M

Ofemmanu1:
Mr Stingy got me tho..


..But when I look at the billions Tinubu is taking home monthly just because he is Lagos ex governor, and how his henchmen cornered Lagos fortunes with Bullion vans.

And I look at how Peter Obi rejected everything, including his gratuity and the "No Shishi Paradigm" I become so tempted to vote Obi.

But as a professional tribal bigot, yeeboe Ipob slayer and a naturally w!cked person, I will vote BAT.

You made those observations and still you're proud of the bold?
I went through your profile and confirmed all you wrote is true

Please vote Obidatti, we need a new Nigeria that works for everyone and watch how tribalism will reduce.

Dont vote those that only benefit their wife, mother and children

I'm begging you to please do the right thing for the poor masses

Bb

.

Tinubu is a regional candidate. That's a fact. He keeps shouting/telling Yorubas,Emi lokan and awa lokan while Obi is telling Igbos not to vote for him because he's Igbo,rather to vote for him because he's competent. Go and verify.
SWAGA south west AGenda for Aaiwaju

That's exactly who Tinubu is. A local champion.

Even Tinupoo and his urchins knows that he is going no where...

Most African countries will turn Nigeria to laughing stock if Tinubu mistakenly win...

The world are watching, we must not disappoint them....

We must do everything pOssible to politically retire that brain dead druggiee...


Vote labour Party!!!

Y

blabulu2000:
Illogical article

To the trash bin

If you call Timubu a Regional candidate, what will you now call Peter Obi who all his campaign is majorly centered around religious and Tribal sections of the country....going to Alaba, Oshodi, Okota, and Ajegunle.in Lagos state ...should have shown who Obi truly is...

You can see most of his campaign doesn't center on some of the core areas in the north....but other candidates went through all. of the crooks and crannies of the country without limitation...

Obi's campaign strategy is not centered around some of the other diverse groups...he kept on attending different church services and programs including those to...he wasn't invited...I saw a picture yesterday ...a presidential candidate attending C&S church Aladura....and you can guess what he was tell them...
Also, whenever he gets to his Nyamiri people, he preaches tribalism and sectionalism....
Just laughing at the levels of a campaign strategy that obi and his campaign group are using ...they are hinged on lies and political propaganda, tribalism

Tinubu a Regional Candidate - CNN

This is the real poll wherein Peter Obi is widely recognised as the leading candidate to provide good governance and no an abomination of APC logo leading to educate people how to reject the evil and satanic party on 25th Febuary 2023.

blabulu2000:
Illogical article

To the trash bin

If you call Timubu a Regional candidate, what will you now call Peter Obi who all his campaign is majorly centered around religious and Tribal sections of the country....going to Alaba, Oshodi, Okota, and Ajegunle.in Lagos state ...should have shown who Obi truly is...

You can see most of his campaign doesn't center on some of the core areas in the north....but other candidates went through all. of the crooks and crannies of the country without limitation...

Obi's campaign strategy is not centered around some of the other diverse groups...he kept on attending different church services and programs including those to...he wasn't invited...I saw a picture yesterday ...a presidential candidate attending C&S church Aladura....and you can guess what he was tell them...
Also, whenever he gets to his Nyamiri people, he preaches tribalism and sectionalism....
Just laughing at the levels of a campaign strategy that obi and his campaign group are using ...they are hinged on lies and political propaganda, tribalism

See who wrote the rubbish, some useless endsars obi apologist..

Absolutely CORRECT! But THEY ARE ALL REGIONAL. . . .to varying degree. TINUBU is the WORST!

Tinubu is not even regional. . . .but extremely LOCAL-MINDED!
He can only be a "Jagaban" or "president" of IRAGBIJI!
Once he opens his foul trap of a mouth, you can tell he NEVER attended any primary school, not to talk of secondary school.

The way he walks, talks, swings his 'Iragbiji-designer-agbadas' nko? LOCAL TO THE CORE!

It's only Tinubu and urchins that see Tinubu as national candidate.

Tinubu cannot win Southwest comfortably.
The only candidate that is afraid of loosing his state to opponent

"After decades as a political puppet master, Tinubu declares it is now his turn to emerge from the shadows into the presidency; his campaign slogan is “Emi Lokan,” which translates to “it is my turn,” in his native Yoruba language."


Best description for Agbado. CNN don shade Tinubu too much

Ofemmanu1:
Mr Stingy got me tho..


..But when I look at the billions Tinubu is taking home monthly just because he is Lagos ex governor, and how his henchmen cornered Lagos fortunes with Bullion vans.

And I look at how Peter Obi rejected everything, including his gratuity and the "No Shishi Paradigm" I become so tempted to vote Obi.

But as a professional tribal bigot, yeeboe Ipob slayer and a naturally w!cked person, I will vote BAT.

The testimony of an individual
"I hate healthy Presidents, I love corrupt and drug Lord Tinubu because he speaks my language".

More neckpressing

Tinubu is finished

I didn't read what you wrote, I am just interested in the link where CNN said what you wrote.

To think that in that PSquare Peter Okoye's Thread,
some FOOLS were claiming that Tinubu has more National Spread than Osinbajo and Amaechi.

In this Election, Bulaba will get 70% South West votes.
And maybe 30% from the North! DAT'S ALL

SOUTH-SOUTH AND SOUTH-EAST + MIDDLE BELT votes are for Peter Obi!
Atiku will win 70% of Northern Votes!

So how will Tinubu win?
Do Urchins have Sense

blabulu2000:
Illogical article

To the trash bin

If you call Timubu a Regional candidate, what will you now call Peter Obi who all his campaign is majorly centered around religious and Tribal sections of the country....going to Alaba, Oshodi, Okota, and Ajegunle.in Lagos state ...should have shown who Obi truly is...

You can see most of his campaign doesn't center on some of the core areas in the north....but other candidates went through all. of the crooks and crannies of the country without limitation...

Obi's campaign strategy is not centered around some of the other diverse groups...he kept on attending different church services and programs including those to...he wasn't invited...I saw a picture yesterday ...a presidential candidate attending C&S church Aladura....and you can guess what he was tell them...
Also, whenever he gets to his Nyamiri people, he preaches tribalism and sectionalism....
Just laughing at the levels of a campaign strategy that obi and his campaign group are using ...they are hinged on lies and political propaganda, tribalism

You no get talk.. Goan sit down
The C&S he went to meet are they Algerians or Senegalese?
He needs the votes of both both tal, small, giant, dwarf, Jehovah's witness, Olumba Olumba.. He his seeking their consent to serve them in presidential capacity.. Urchin

fijiuba:

It is insults and deogatory words you uncouth Igbo youths used to get more Yoruba to bring our population strength behind Asiwaju.
Mr Obi made a fatal flaw getting folks like you to supporr him.People can not wait to put you tiny minority in the right place of democratic defeat.

Public policy analyst Abideen Olasupo told CNN the uncertainties surrounding this year’s elections have put off many voters.

“Nigerian voters are currently the most disturbed and confused voters in the world right now because they are not sure if the election will hold; and if it will hold, they are not sure if the process will not be manipulated,” Olasupo said

See the fake analyst Mr Obi's paid promotiom featured in its PR.smh

Ofemmanu1:
Mr Stingy got me tho..


..But when I look at the billions Tinubu is taking home monthly just because he is Lagos ex governor, and how his henchmen cornered Lagos fortunes with Bullion vans.

And I look at how Peter Obi rejected everything, including his gratuity and the "No Shishi Paradigm" I become so tempted to vote Obi.

But as a professional tribal bigot, yeeboe Ipob slayer and a naturally w!cked person, I will vote BAT.

Fool, as if u have voters card, poor thing, go n collect 5k n vote for bat, shameless tin