Nigerian General Election- 2015

Background:

Party primaries:

PDP

It has long been assumed that incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan would run for re-election, as despite declining approval ratings, he was still thought to be popular and had several high-profile supporters. Jonathan officially confirmed his candidacy on 11 November at a rally in Abuja, announcing to cheering supporters:

"After seeking the face of God, and in the quiet of my family, and after listening to the clarion call of Nigerians, I have accepted to present myself to serve a second term."

Jonathan ran unopposed in the People's Democratic Party (PDP) primaries on 10 December, receiving the nomination of the party. However, this was against an unwritten rule that the PDP's presidential candidacy should alternate between Muslim northerners and Christian southerners, and opposition to Jonathan's candidacy had led to the defection of "dozens" of PDP MPs in the House of Representatives.

All Progressives Congress

Prior to the elections, the All Progressives Congress was formed as an alliance of four opposition parties, the Action Congress of Nigeria, the Congress for Progressive Change, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

Its primaries, also held on 10 December, were won by former military dictator Muhammadu Buhari,^[4] who defeated Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and newspaper editor Sam Nda Isaiah.

Candidate	Votes	%
Muhammadu Buhari	3,430	57.2
Rabiu Kwankwaso	974	16.3
Atiku Abubakar	954	15.9
Rochas Okorocha	400	10.4
Sam Nda Isaiah	10	0.2
Total	5,992	100
Source: Nigerian Eye

Also on December 17th, APC chose Pastor (Prof) Osinbajo as the running mate of General M. Buhari

National Assembly

The People's Democratic Party (PDP), has dominated Nigerian politics since democracy was established in 1999. While opposition parties have failed to present any serious opposition in the past, they have been unable to present any serious challenge to the PDP in national elections.

Conduct

After a botched governor's election in Anambra State, there are serious concerns that the election will not go smoothly. The country's election commission has promised a better election process, and fair elections may help prevent the violence that has plagued previous Nigerian elections.

The Socialist Party of Nigeria filed for registration as a political party in order to contest the election, but the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refused the registration. The SPN sued the INEC at the Federal High Court, claiming that INEC had failed to respond to their petition within 30 days as prescribed by law and that thus it would have to be registered automatically.