After a four-year wait, the day has finally arrived; Nigerians will head to the polls today to elect their leaders in a general election filled with promise. The presidency, the highest office in the land, is contested by 18 candidates from various political parties following months of campaigning. Among these candidates, analysts believe the primary contest lies between Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Party, Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. For both Tinubu and Atiku, this election may represent their last significant opportunity, as they are advanced in age—Atiku is 76, while Tinubu, often referred to as the ‘City Boy,’ is 70. By the time the next election cycle arrives, they will be 80 and 74, respectively. In a nation increasingly aware of the age and vitality of its leaders, 2027 may come too late for them. This scenario elevates Obi, who, at 61, embodies the aspirations of the youth and poses a formidable challenge to the status quo.
While the presidential race garners much attention, today’s election will also determine the fates of 1,101 candidates vying for 109 senatorial seats and 3,122 candidates competing for House of Representatives positions, totaling 4,223 candidates for 469 legislative roles. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, the gender distribution among candidates reveals that 3,875 are male, including 35 for presidential and vice-presidential positions, 1,008 for the Senate, and 2,832 for the House of Representatives. In contrast, 381 females are contesting, comprising one for the presidential role, 92 for the Senate, and 288 for the House. Additionally, there are 11 candidates with disabilities in the race.
Atiku, who served as Deputy to former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007, is making his sixth attempt at the presidency, having previously lost in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019. This election marks the first time Tinubu is running for president after leaving office as a two-term governor of Lagos State in 2007. He is credited with leading the coalition that ousted the PDP from power in 2015 and has expanded his influence beyond the South-West region in recent years. Obi, who served as governor of Anambra from 2006 to 2014, was the PDP’s vice-presidential nominee in 2019 and later switched to the Labour Party in May 2022 to run for president. Other presidential candidates include Dumebi Kachikwu of the African Democratic Congress, Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party, and several others representing various parties.
This year’s election has sparked extensive discussions, with observers noting that it may be the most debated in Nigeria’s history. Social media has played an unprecedented role in the electoral process, particularly among the youth, who have utilized these platforms to raise issues, promote their preferred candidates, and criticize others. For the first time, the youth have organized themselves into a movement supporting a candidate, leveraging social media as their primary tool. Whether this mobilization will translate into electoral success remains to be seen in the coming hours. Health concerns regarding the leading candidates were also prominent during the campaign, with many questioning their physical and mental fitness for the demanding role of president. This was compounded by numerous gaffes from candidates and their representatives, as well as heated exchanges among supporters on social media.
The political landscape was further complicated by the controversy surrounding the naira redesign policy implemented by the Federal Government, which aimed to curb vote-buying. This policy led to significant protests and legal challenges from various state governments, with cases pending resolution after the presidential election. Additionally, the ongoing fuel scarcity, which has persisted since October of the previous year, has been a focal point for political actors, who have used it to their advantage in the campaign.
As the election approaches, candidates have articulated their immediate priorities. Dele Alake, Special Adviser on Media, Communications, and Public Affairs to the APC Presidential Campaign Council, stated that if Tinubu wins, he will work to alleviate the current challenges facing the country within the first 100 days of his administration. Alake emphasized Tinubu’s visionary leadership and courage as essential attributes for progressive governance. In contrast, Chief Dele Momodu, Director of Strategic Communication for the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, expressed confidence in Atiku’s candidacy, asserting that he possesses the necessary structure to achieve his goals and is poised for a landslide victory. Yunusa Tanko, chief spokesman for the LP Presidential Campaign Council, echoed a similar sentiment, asserting their determination to win outright without a runoff and outlining Obi’s seven-point agenda for immediate action post-election.
Security agencies have assured the public of their readiness to ensure a free and fair election, warning against any disruptions at polling units. The Nigeria Police Force has deployed over 310,000 officers for the election, with specific strategies in place to maintain order. In Delta State, for instance, four Commissioners of Police have been assigned to oversee security during the election. The police have also implemented a ban on vehicular movement from midnight to 6 PM on Election Day, allowing only essential personnel to pass. This restriction applies to state-owned security outfits as well.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, a total of 87,209,007 voters out of 93,469,008 registered voters have collected their Permanent Voter Cards and are eligible to participate in the election. Of these voters, 49,054,162 (52.5 percent) are male, while female voters constitute 47.5 percent, totaling 44,414,846. Elections will take place in 176,606 polling units across 774 local government areas, although voting will not occur in 240 polling units due to insecurity or displacement caused by violence. To oversee the elections, INEC requires a substantial number of personnel, including presiding officers and security officials. Polling stations will be open for six hours, and voters in line by the closing time will still be permitted to cast their ballots.
To win the presidential election, a candidate must secure the highest number of votes and achieve at least 25 percent of the ballots in two-thirds of the 36 states and Abuja. If no candidate meets these criteria, a runoff will occur between the top two candidates within 21 days. Meanwhile, Atiku has dismissed as “utter rubbish” an audio clip circulating on social media that falsely claims he and others conspired to undermine the election. He condemned the clip as a desperate attempt at propaganda by rival parties, asserting that elections are won at polling units, not on social media.
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