A tough fight lies ahead as Nigeria’s political parties fight for glory in the presidential election of February 25th 2023. The presidential election moved from being a two-party dominated race of the All-Progressive Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to include a third force, Labour Party (LP).
To continue the election race that started with political parties nominating candidates for all electable positions, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today proclaimed the commencement of the campaign season.
The coming days would see leading presidential candidates including former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi of Labour party, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar of PDP, former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu of APC and former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) host rallies, advertisements, road walks across the country to solicit for support.
The Big Picture
As campaign season begins with a lot of politicking and horse-trading ongoing behind the scenes, stakeholders across party lines could defect to opposition parties which host their political interest.
- A concern for party faithfuls in this season would be the insecurity plaguing the country, as there would be movement across several parts of the country.
What you should know
The leading presidential candidates not only boast of a large following, they know one another on a personal level and have in some capacity worked together in the past. There is some level of respect amongst them.
Rabiu Kwankwaso served as Defence Minister under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, of which Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was the vice president.
In the election that enthroned Nigeria’s current President Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ran alongside Mr. Peter Obi under the platform of the PDP. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar contested for Nigeria’s president under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.