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  • There are clear favourites who are expected to win the tickets of the two main parties: the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This is not an article about them.

    Thanks to 2023 presidential elections, the game of musical chairs for Nigeria’s presidential seat is reaching a fever pitch. Dozens of aspirants have been travelling all over the country promising heaven and earth if they’re elected.

    To make it to the big stage for the main election in February 2023, these aspirants first have to win the tickets of their parties. 

    This is a look at the aspirants who would need to fast 40 days and 40 nights to beat the favourites to the tickets of the APC and PDP.

    Emeka Nwajiuba, 54

    Emeka Nwajiuba believes in his presidential aspiration so much that he was eager to resign from Buhari’s cabinet as the Minister of State for Education. Despite his eagerness, he remains only a dark horse in the race for the APC’s ticket even though he has a decent track record in politics. He has previously served as a lawmaker in the Federal House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003. Nwajiuba also participated in the Imo State governorship election in 2003, 2007 and 2011. He won an election to return to the House in 2019, but he left that position to become a minister. 

    Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, 68

    Mohammed Hayatu-Deen was one of the first aspirants to jump into the presidential queue with his eyes on the PDP ticket. The economist commands decades of experience across multiple Nigerian industries and has worn many hats. His campaign rests on economic and social reform, insecurity, health and Nigerian youths. But he’s going to need more than a campaign website to win the ticket.

    Yahaya Bello, 46

    The governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is one of the youngest aspirants involved in the preliminary stages of the presidential election. He’s been shouting about his ambition from the rooftops long before most of the frontrunners were even in the picture. The governor is adamant that only a young president can take Nigeria into the future that many citizens want to see. His campaign hasn’t reflected much of that and it’d take a miracle to see him end up with the APC’s ticket.

    Anyim Pius Anyim, 61

    Anyim Pius Anyim is a former Senate President who’s also currently eyeing Nigeria’s top seat via the PDP. He served as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) between 2011 and 2015. He once unsuccessfully contested to become the party’s chairman but is revered as an elder statesman in the PDP. He’s going to need more than that respect to nick the ticket from the party’s frontrunners.

    Adams Oshiomhole, 70

    Oshiomhole used to be a fearsome labour union leader and was the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) between 1999 and 2007. He moved on to become Edo State governor in 2008 and served two terms until he left office in 2016. Oshiomhole was then elected the APC’s national chairman in 2018 until he was forced out of his position in 2020 following internal party issues. As a former party chairman, Oshiomhole would typically be considered a frontrunner for the presidential ticket, but even he’s not that confident of victory. He’s contesting for president and a seat in the Senate at the same time and filled nomination forms for both. He doesn’t just want to eat his cake and have it; he wants to throw a party with it.

    ALSO READ: The Aspirants Fighting to Become Nigeria’s First Female President

    Dele Momodu, 62

    Dele Momodu is widely known as the CEO and publisher of the Ovation International magazine. He worked with the Moshood Abiola Presidential Campaign Organisation in 1993 and invited trouble from the then military government. He fled Nigeria following political persecution from General Sani Abacha and didn’t return to the country until after the death of the dictator. Momodu was the candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) for the 2011 presidential election and finished with less than 27,000 votes. He’ll need better luck and a truckload of prayers to win the PDP’s ticket for the 2023 presidential election.

    Godswill Akpabio, 59

    Godswill Akpabio is another aspirant that resigned from Buhari’s cabinet in a bid to become the guy that takes over his seat in 2023. He was the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs from 2019 before his resignation in May 2022. Before that, he’d been a senator between 2015 and 2019 and governor of Akwa Ibom State between 2007 and 2015. Before he became a governor, he’d served as a commissioner in the Akwa Ibom State cabinet between 2002 and 2006. But he doesn’t have the political momentum that other favourites do.

    Bala Mohammed, 63

    Bala Mohammed was a senator between 2007 and 2010 before he was appointed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and stayed in the role for five years. He’s the current governor of Bauchi State. Having served only one term as governor, you kind of get the feeling he’s only running for president to sound out his name and not necessarily to win the PDP’s ticket.

    Tunde Bakare, 67

    Tunde Bakare is one of those aspirants who’s always teasing their intention to run for the presidency every three market days. He was the running mate to Buhari in the 2011 presidential election that was won by Goodluck Jonathan. Now he believes he has divine clearance from God and is confident he’ll be the one taking over from Buhari in 2023. He just needs to grab that APC ticket first. No pressure.

    Ayo Fayose, 61

    Ayo Fayose is one of the most combative aspirants in the crowded field of presidential hopefuls. He was first elected the governor of Ekiti State in 2003 but was impeached in 2006. Fayose made a comeback and was re-elected for a second term as governor in 2014. He wasn’t impeached this time around, but he made a transition from the Government House to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the day his tenure expired in 2018. That’s how this image happened.

    No one expects that Fayose ends up with the PDP’s ticket, but nothing’s ever boring with the guy so, now we wait.

    ALSO READ: How Much Are Nigerian Parties Charging Aspirants to Run for Office?

  • Like most things in Nigerian politics, the presidential seat has been the exclusive plaything of one gender. Since the country’s independence from colonial rule in 1960, the top seat has been warmed only by men.

    Nigerian women haven’t even made a lot of appearances on the ballot, but this has been changing in recent elections. In 2019, a record-breaking six women made it to the ballot for the presidential election contested by 73 candidates. 

    For the 2023 presidential election, the women listed below fancy their chances at the polls; they just have to win their party’s primary elections first.

    Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi

    Who will become Nigeria's first female president?

    Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi was the first woman to declare her interest in the 2023 presidential election. The 38-year-old media personality is running on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    Benedicta Egbo

    Who will become Nigeria's first female president?

    Benedicta Egbo is a Professor of Education based in Canada who has also thrown her hat in the ring for the 2023 presidential election. She believes she’s capable of cleaning up the mess made by past presidents. She also thinks Nigerians deserve an apology from those leaders. We agree. 

    Uju Ohanenye

    Who will become Nigeria's first female president?

    Uju Ohanenye is running on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where nomination forms cost an arm and a leg. She’s described herself as an advocate for the commoners and occasionally attacked the male leaders that have failed the country. “I want to make a difference The men have lost it, so I’m on board because Nigerians need a mother,” the businesswoman said in an interview. 

    Ify Oforkansi

    Who will become Nigeria's first female president?

    Ify Oforkansi has a nine-point agenda for Nigeria if she becomes the country’s first female president. The agenda of the aspirant of the African Democratic Party (ADP) focuses on education, power reform, unemployment, insecurity and mechanised agriculture. 

    Caro Nwosu 

    Who will become Nigeria's first female president?

    Caro Nwosu is an aspirant running on the platform of the African Action Congress (AAC) and preaching unity as the antidote to Nigeria’s problems. The aspirant believes she can unlock Nigeria’s potential and make the country an African superpower. 

    ALSO READ: The Wildest Sob Stories Ever by Nigerian Politicians

    Ibinabo Joy Dokubo 

    Who will become Nigeria's first female president?

    Ibinabo Joy Dokubo wants to build on APC’s legacy if she wins the party’s ticket to contest at the polls in 2023. Education and security are top on the list of her priorities if she’s elected president. 

    Angela Johnson 

    Who will become Nigeria's first female president?

    Angela Johnson is confident she’ll become Nigeria’s first female president because, apparently, God has spoken to her and assured her of victory. The aspirant has promised to prioritise job creation for the youth and also focus on empowering women.

    Patience Ndidi Key 

    If she becomes Nigeria’s first female president, Patience Ndidi Key plans to overhaul the country. The aspirant of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) was inspired to run due to the country’s economic and security challenges. Her three-point agenda is based on peace, equity, and wealth creation.

    Olivia Diana Teriela 

    There’s very little known about Olivia Diana Teriela but she’s bought the nomination forms of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to get on the ballot for the 2023 presidential election.

    Nonye Ezeanyaeche

    Who will become Nigeria's first female president?

    Nonye Ezeanyaeche raised quite a few eyebrows when she announced her intention to contest the 2023 presidential election. The widespread interest in her aspiration is down to the fact that she’s 102 years old. If she wins, she’d not only become Nigeria’s first female president but the country’s oldest leader by more than 20 years. She believes she can handle the demands of the job because, in her own words, “Energy is God-given.”

    Unlike in 2019 when there were dozens of political parties nominating candidates, only 18 parties are allowed to contest in 2023. This means it’s unlikely the number of women that will make it to the ballot will surpass the last election.

    ALSO READ: Time Is Running Out for You to Register for Your PVC

  • More and more politicians are going to new heights to declare their intentions to run for office. Rotimi Amaechi ran a lap around a stadium to prove his fitness for office, and Adamu Garba II climbed a rock to declare for the presidency at a spot he said is the real centre of Nigeria. 

    It’s all so entertaining, but what about the voters?

    PVC collection

    What’s up with PVC registration?

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) resumed registration for Permanent Voter Card (PVC) in June 2021. The commission set a target to register 20 million new voters to add to the existing 84 million on the register of voters. The exercise was divided into four quarters:

    First Quarter – June 28th 2021 to September 21st 2021

    Second Quarter – October 4th 2021 to December 20th 2021 

    Third Quarter – January 3rd 2022 to March 22nd 2022

    4th Quarter – April 11th 2022 to June 30th 2022.

    As of the end of the third quarter, 4.4 million new voters had completed their PVC registration — only 22% of the target set by INEC. 

    PVC registration

    Eligible Nigerians who are 18 years old or older have only three months left to register for the card. But this article isn’t about them.

    ALSO READ: Time Is Running Out for You to Register for Your PVC

    I have registered. When can I get my card?

    PVC collection

    INEC announced on April 13th 2022 that 1,390,519 PVCs have been printed for new registrants. The commission also printed 464,340 PVCs for people who applied for transfer or replacement of cards. This means a total of 1,854,859 PVCs are now ready for collection from April 19th 2022.

    Who qualifies to collect PVC now?

    The current round of collection is for applicants who completed registration in the first and second quarters of the ongoing exercise. This means people who registered for new cards or applied for transfer or replacement between June 28th 2021 and December 20th 2021.

    INEC will contact them by email and text messages on the availability of the cards and the places to collect them. You can also verify your registration status here.

    What do I need to collect PVC?

    If you qualify for collection, you need to present your Temporary Voter Card (TVC) at the INEC centre to get your PVC.

    ALSO READ: How To Register For PVC Online In 7 Easy Steps

    There’s a little problem…

    It’s possible that you registered for PVC as a new voter between June and December 2021 but you won’t be getting your card. 

    PVC collection

    While INEC has printed 1.3 million PVCs for new voters, 2.5 million people actually registered within the period. The commission said 1,126,359 of the applications were ruled to be invalid. This represents 44% of the total number of registrations.

    This was due to a lot of reasons which include illegal double registration and incomplete data. The invalid registrants won’t be included in the register of voters.

    What’s the solution?

    Nigerians who are affected by this problem can contact INEC’s Help Desk, social media handles or registration officers at the registration centres for guidance on how to proceed.

    ALSO READ: Zikoko’s Responsible Voter Starter Kit for 2023 Elections

  • Everyone and their grandmother is declaring to contest in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. A certain aspirant’s announcement has inspired more Nigerians to announce their own intentions to run for president on Twitter.

    We Rated The Chances of Everyone Running for President on Twitter

    Their chances of winning are laughably impossible, but we rated their Twitter announcements anyway.

    9.5/10

    Audacious lie, check. Crisp campaign picture, check. Innovative slogan, check. Campaign promises that we all know are lies, check. It’s giving everything we expect from someone running for president. 

    5.5/10

    Too much lighting. Can’t look voters in the face. More likely to be appointed Minister of Fashion. 

    7/10

    https://twitter.com/FaruqBashar/status/1513428476728168448?s=20&t=OqvP-uTnpI2L5ezz8lK7ow

    Pro: He’ll legalise weed. 

    Con: Will spend national budget on owambe. 

    8/10

    Obviously in the race to stop family members from starving. We can all understand that sentiment. 

    ALSO READ: Why Nigeria (Probably) Needs a 102-Year-Old President

    8.5/10

    The fit is presidential. The speech is precise. But we’re not getting carried away. We need some campaign promises. How long before semo is banned? 

    7/10

    https://twitter.com/Lharryvee/status/1513486181274722310?s=20&t=OqvP-uTnpI2L5ezz8lK7ow

    That rolling of the sleeves sells this candidacy. This is a candidate that’ll pretend he knows how to fix a faulty car just for the campaign pictures. Real presidential material. 

    7/10

    Not a lot of poets run for president so maybe we should give this man a chance. The black and white vibe of the campaign picture gives us cause for pause, though. 

    3/10

    Obviously not a serious person. Too lazy to roll out with a campaign picture. 

    8/10

    We approve of a candidate that’s sincere even if he’s bad boy. He may do all the wrong things as president, but he’ll be entertaining as hell. 

    10/10

    This passes the vibe check. Anyone that looks at this declaration and says it’s not a 10/10 must be Lai Mohammed’s protege. 

    5/10

    Looks like Dino Melaye reincarnated. Will waste national budget on luxury cars.

    6/10

    Way too many pictures for a declaration. Interesting choice of location too. Will spend national budget on fine dining. 

    4/10

    It’s always best to run away from candidates that use God to run for office. They’re all detty liars. 

    8/10

    Pro: Three-day weekend that cancels Monday. 

    Con: Can’t look voters in the face. 

    4/10

    https://twitter.com/sliqbak/status/1513457654663979009?s=20&t=Vwgk15nFFnPvCdf1L-bvvw

    Can’t quite place it but it looks like he’s running for the position of course rep, not a country’s president. Too young to run.

    ALSO READ: Time Is Running Out for You to Register for Your PVC

  • Ordinarily, the most important quality you’d expect of someone hoping to become the president of a country of over 200 million people is that they’re smart. It helps if they also have swag or can pretend to be a hairdresser, but it’s critical that they’re a problem-solver and know what they’re doing.

    Also helps if they can create memes.

    After eight years of Buhari, Nigerians will get the chance to choose a new president in 2023. With less than one year to go before that decision is made, a pattern is starting to emerge about what will be the most important quality of the person that takes over. 

    On the list of priorities that have been considered by those in political circles, regional identity sits at the top. Since President Buhari is a northerner, there have been demands that the next president comes from the southern region.

    This is what’s called zoning. We’ve already explained what zoning means — an unofficial arrangement to rotate power between northern and southern Nigeria. There have also been calls to micro-zone the position to a geopolitical zone like the southeast region that hasn’t produced a president or vice president since 1999, when zoning first became a thing.

    ALSO READ: Primary Elections Are Coming, But What Does Zoning Mean?

    The zoning debate has been causing friction within Nigeria’s two biggest parties — the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). We look at what politicians — who have vested interests in where Nigeria’s next president should come from — have said about zoning.

    Dele Momodu — presidential aspirant

    I believe that allowing all aspirants to buy their forms at ₦40 million suggests that the race is open to all, regardless of what part of Nigeria they come from. It’s practically and legally impossible for a political party to disqualify an aspirant on account of zoning after collecting a whopping ₦40 million for services not rendered. I’m expecting a level playing ground for all aspirants.

    Governor Nyesom Wike — presidential aspirant

    We’ve always done zoning in the PDP. You cannot stop it. If the party says they’re zoning to the north, I have no problem. I will obey the party but what I don’t agree with is for people to say that there shouldn’t be zoning.

    Hope Uzodinma — Imo State governor

    Nobody will get a presidential ticket because he spoke good English on television, or abused people on television. It’s the decision of the party and many factors will be responsible. The ticket will be given to a name that can win an election.

    I’ll rather see a situation where merit is allowed to drive the process of determining who occupies a public office in the country rather than where you come from. We must use our diversity to strengthen national unity, not to divide the nation.

    Donald Duke — former Cross River governor

    Ordinarily, I’m not a proponent of zoning, but I’m a proponent of equity and that takes precedence to zoning. Beyond that, our country is in a very desperate situation today and you need a leader that’s formidable and can make things right.

    Atiku Abubakar — presidential aspirant

    The PDP has the right to determine its rules on how the party should be governed. The people of Nigeria also have the right to determine who governs them. Where the president comes from has never been the problem of Nigeria, neither will it be the solution. There’s no such thing as a president from southern Nigeria or northern Nigeria. There’s only one — a president from Nigeria, for Nigeria, by Nigerians.

    ALSO READ: Who Wants to Be Nigeria’s President in 2023?

    Bukola Saraki — presidential aspirant

    I’m not saying that zoning is not a criterion that must be considered when you talk about where power comes from. What I’m saying is that in 2023, zoning and other issues must be considered. We’re at a defining moment in our history where, aside from where you come from, what also really matters is how to prevent our country from becoming a failed state. As we address the issue of where you come from, we must also put that energy into who and what kind of leadership we need now.

    Kingsley Moghalu — presidential aspirant

    I’m running for President of Nigeria. I’m not waiting until the presidency is zoned to anywhere. I’m running on a vision, not on ethnic identity politics. I’m as good as anyone in Nigeria — north or south — to be President.

    Nasir El-Rufai — Kaduna State governor

    I’ll support any APC candidate if I’m satisfied that he’ll do the best for Nigeria. It doesn’t matter whether he’s from the southwest, southeast or south-south; the APC is what matters and the quality of the person. The discussion we’re having is that the Presidency is zoned to the south.

    Iyorchia Ayu — PDP chairman

    PDP has a history of rotating our offices. Anybody who doesn’t get it this time should wait after the tenure of whoever will be our next president.

    Rotimi Akeredolu — Ondo State governor

    I believe that any party that picks somebody from the north would have to face the whole southern region because they’ll not support it. We’re saying that there must be what I’ll call “rotation”. The justice of it and the fairness in it are what we’re preaching. If President Buhari has been in office for eight years, the next president can’t be from the north.

    ALSO READ: Buhari’s Weirdest Decisions We Thought Were April Fool’s Day Jokes But Weren’t