ASSESSMENTS

What to Expect from Nigeria's Presidential Election

Nov 12, 2018 | 10:00 GMT

Atiku Abubakar, the candidate from the resurgent People's Democratic Party, hopes to unseat President Muhammadu Buhari, whose health concerns are a factor for Nigerian voters.

Supporters of former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar celebrate his nomination to represent the People's Democratic Party in February's presidential election. 

(PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/Getty Images)

Highlights

  • The opposition People's Democratic Party has rebuilt itself since its defeat in 2015 and will pose a significant challenge to President Muhammadu Buhari and his ruling All Progressives Congress.
  • Despite Buhari's best effort to institutionalize his anti-corruption efforts, his defeat could cause the issue to become a lower priority.
  • Militants in Nigeria's northeast and the oil-rich southeast may attempt to exploit insecurity for personal gain ahead of the election.

Nigeria is barreling toward its next presidential election. On Feb. 16, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari will appear at the top of the ticket for his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party. As the election approaches, lingering concerns about Buhari's health and handling of the economy are good news for Atiku Abubakar, the president's primary challenger and a former vice president, who will be making his fourth effort to enter the presidential office....

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