Everything You Need to Know About the 2023 Nigerian Elections

Words Phadria Prendergast

More than 90 million Nigerians — almost half of the country’s population — were registered to vote according to the electoral body Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Of that number, only 87 million registered voters are holders of a permanent voter card (PVC), a main requirement to cast a ballot. 

Nationals of Africa’s most populous country were still left waiting to cast their ballots despite polls being expected to close at 2:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. GMT) local time. At some stations, voting did not begin until after the scheduled opening time, however voters were adamant that they would wait to vote, regardless of how long it took. 

INEC had commented prior to the elections that voters who joined the queue on time would still be able to vote even after the official closing time. The final tally is expected within the next few days. 

A total of eighteen candidates are in the running however, three are leading the race according to pre-election surveys.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former Governor of Lagos State and a key contender, is among the top three candidates vying for Africa’s most daunting, albeit  important and incredibly powerful position. Tinubu, 70, of the  All Progressives Congress (APC), is widely credited with reshaping Nigeria's commercial hub Lagos. Another top contender is former vice president Atiku Abubakar, of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), whilst the third, former  Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, is part of the Labour Party. 

Other presidential candidates, according to INEC’s final list, include Imumolen Christopher – Accord Party (AP); Al-Mustapha Hamza – Action Alliance (AA); Sowore Omoyele – African Action Congress (AAC); Kachikwu Dumebi – African Democratic Congress (ADC); Sani Yabagi Yusuf – Action Democratic Party (ADP); Umeadi Peter Nnanna – All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Ojei Princess Chichi – Allied People’s Movement (APM); Nnamdi Charles Osita – Action Peoples Party (APP); Adenuga Sunday Oluwafemi – Boot Party (BP); Osakwe Felix Johnson – National Rescue Movement (NRM).

To win, candidates are expected to garner a sufficient number of ballots to meet the 25% vote spread in 24 of Nigeria's 36 states. If this is not satisfied, the two leading candidates will be expected to go head to head in a second round run-off within 3 weeks.