Elections in Nigeria

Nigeria

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Elections in Nigeria are democratic forms of choosing representatives to the Nigerian federal government and the various states in Nigeria.

Background

Nigeria elects on federal level a head of state (the President of Nigeria) and a legislature (the National Assembly). The president is elected by the people. The National Assembly has two chambers. The House of Representatives has 360 members, elected for a four year term in single-seat constituencies. The Senate has 109 members, elected for a four year term: each of the 36 states are divided into 3 senatorial districts, each of which is represented by one senator; the Federal Capital Territory is represented by only one senator.

Nigeria has a multi-party system, with two or three strong parties and a third party that is electorally successful.

Latest Election

The most recent presidential election was held on 16 April 2011, the results of which were published on 19 April 2011. The original date of the election was scheduled as 9 April 2011, but was postponed. Goodluck Jonathan, the PDP's candidate, won by a large margin.

2007 elections

 Summary of the 1 April 2007 Nigerian presidential election results

Candidates – Parties	Parties	Votes	%
Umaru Yar'Adua	Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)	24,638,063	69.82
Muhammadu Buhari	All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)	6,605,299	18.72
Atiku Abubakar	Action Congress (AC)	2,637,848	7.47
Orji Uzor Kalu	Progressive Peoples Alliance	608,803	1.73
Attahiru Bafarawa	Democratic Peoples Party (DPP)	289,324	0.82
Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu	All Progressives Grand Alliance	155,947	0.44
Pere Ajuwa	Alliance for Democracy (AD)	89,241	0.25
Chris Okotie	Fresh Democratic Party	74,049	0.21
Patrick Utomi	African Democratic Congress (ADC)	50,849	0.14
Ambrose Owuru	Hope Democratic Party	28,519	0.08
Emmanuel Okereke	African Liberation Party (ALP)	22,677	0.06
Lawrence Adedoyin	African Political System (APS)	22,409	0.06
Habu Fari	National Democratic Party	21,934	0.06
Maxi Okwu	Citizens Popular Party (CPP)	14,027	0.04
Bartholomew Nnaji	Better Nigeria Party	11,705	0.03
Emmanuel Obayuwana	National Conscience Party	8,229	0.02
Olapade Agoro	National Action Council	5,752	0.02
Mojisola Obasanjo	Nigerian Masses Movement	4,309	0.01

 Summary of the 21 April 2007 Nigerian National Assembly election results

Parties	House of Representatives			Senate
	Votes	%	Seats	Votes	%	Seats
People's Democratic Party			260			85
All Nigeria Peoples Party			62			16
Action Congress			32			6
Progressive Peoples Alliance			3			1
Labour Party			1
Accord						1
Total			360			109
Source: IPU Parline

See also

• Electoral calendar
• Electoral system

External links

• African Elections Database
• Adam Carr's Election Archive