elections this Saturday -- the fifth since civilian rule was restored
in 1999.
Here are five key figures whose actions could shape the outcome of the
vote and its aftermath.
- Goodluck Jonathan -
Nigeria's 57-year-old leader is seeking a second term after a
tumultuous five years plagued by the dramatic rise in strength of Boko
Haram Islamists and a widely criticised job performance.
A man walk past campaign posters of Nigerian President Goodluck
Jonathan and candidate of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP)
in Lagos, on March 21, 2015. Africa's most populous nation, Nigeria,
goes to the polls to elect a new president next week after a
controversial postponement, with the six-week delay seeing major gains
against the Boko Haram jihadists.
Critics say he has failed to tackle corruption or improve
infrastructure, especially electricity supply, but Jonathan still has
supporters, particularly in the mainly Christian south of the
religiously divided nation.
Nigerians have never seen power change hands through the ballot since
independence from Britain in 1960 but Jonathan has repeatedly vowed to
respect the will of the voters.
If the election tilts in the opposition's favour, all eyes will be on
the president to see if he keeps that promise.
- Muhammadu Buhari -
The former military ruler is taking his fourth shot at the presidency
since democracy was restored in 1999, and has tried to position
himself as Nigeria's top anti-corruption crusader.
Buhari, 72, insists he will win this time, refusing to even discuss
the prospect of another defeat.
A roadside restaurant features on March 12, 2015 a poster of main
opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate
Mohammadu Buhari in Lagos. Buhari, the 72-year-old candidate of the
APC is in neck-and-neck with President Goodluck Jonathan in the
closely fought election campaign, which initially was expected to be
held on February 14, but rescheduled for March 28 due to security
concern.
If Jonathan is declared the winner, Buhari's actions could prove
crucial in avoiding widespread post-election unrest.
Experts say the predominantly Muslim north is a tinderbox that may
explode if Buhari, the region's favourite son, is perceived as having
been cheated out of an electoral win.
Buhari's moves as the results come in will therefore be closely watched.
- Abubakar Shekau -
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof.
Attahiru Jega
Boko Haram's leader, a wanted criminal who is suspected of
orchestrating crimes against humanity, has vowed to disrupt the polls,
which the Islamist group views as "un-Islamic".
That sinister pledge may turn out to be empty bluster but given Boko
Haram's proven ability to sow chaos across northern Nigeria, the
possibility exists of widespread attacks, including bombings, on
polling day.
- Attahiru Jega -
The head of Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
has faced fierce criticism from both the opposition and the ruling
party during the campaign.
But impartial observers broadly see him as tough-minded, independent
administrator committed to overseeing a fair and credible vote.
The career academic cut his political teeth opposing the brutal
military dictatorship of Sani Abacha in the late 1990s.
Given his background, most experts believe Jega will seek to declare
an accurate result as quickly as possible, regardless of any political
interference he may face.
- Security chiefs -
The independence of Nigeria's military and police around election day
will likely be crucial in ensuring the vote is respected nationwide.
The defence ministry has issued clear statements declaring itself to
be a completely non-partisan actor in the polls but troubling events
in recent months have raised concern.
Officers, believed to be from the police force, fired teargas on
senior opposition lawmakers as they tried to enter parliament for a
key vote in November.
The opposition has specifically identified the police chief in the
capital Abuja, Joseph Mbu as being an outspoken supporter of the
ruling party.
--AFP
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