On February 25, Nigerians will go to the polls to appoint Muhammadu Buhari's successor. He cannot run for a third term.
While many African presidents have, in recent years, accommodated constitutions to their ambitions by running for illegal third terms, others, like Mahamadou Issoufou in Niger, have agreed not to run again. This will be the case of Muhammadu Buhari. The 80-year-old Nigerian president has served his two terms and, as his country's constitution requires, must now give way. In barely a month and a half will begin the presidential election in Nigeria.
Nigeria is one of the most dynamic economic powers in Africa. Muhammadu Buhari's record, while of course open to criticism, has not been bad. And it will be difficult to succeed him. And at the start of the election campaign, it is difficult to know which candidate will be elected.
Bola Tinubu, the kingmaker
Last June, Muhammadu Buhari's party, the Congress of Progressives (APC), Invested Bola Tinubu as presidential candidate coming. A choice supposed to ensure victory for the formation in power. Because Bola Tinubu is considered Buhari's shadow man. "The Godfather", as he is nicknamed, is indeed called "The Kingmaker". "If I hadn't supported Buhari, he could never have become president," he said. But now he wants to become president, he says, to go down in history.
Facing him, Bola Tinubu will find Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). But also Peter Obi. The former governor of Anambra State is an outsider, which may well create a bit of confusion when it comes time to vote. This one has a speech intended for the young people who like it. Especially since young Nigerians, for some, would see a party other than the APC or the PDP take power.