At stake in this election:

• The office of President of Nigeria

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Olusegun OBASANJO
• Head of Government: President Olusegun OBASANJO
• Assembly: Nigeria has a bicameral National Assembly consisting of the Senate with 109 seats and the House of Representatives with 346 seats.

Description of electoral system:

• The President is elected by popular vote to serve a 4-year term.
• In the Senate 109 members are elected by popular vote to serve 4-year terms*. In the House of Representatives 346 members are elected by popular vote to serve 4-year terms.

* 3 members are elected from each state plus one from Abuja.

Main Candidates in the Presidential race:

• Olesugun OBASANJO
  • Party: People's Democratic Party
• Muhammadu BUHARI
  • Party: All Nigeria People's Party
• Chukwuemeka Odumegwu OJUKWU
  • Party: All Progressives Grand Alliance
• Jim NWODOBO
  • Party: United Nigeria People's Party
• Gani FAWEHINMI
  • Party: National Conscience Party
• Sarah JIBRIL
  • Party: Progressive Action Congress
• Ike NWACHUKWU
  • Party: National Democratic Party
• Chris OKOTIE
  • Party: Justice Party

Last presidential election:

• The last presidential election was held on February 27, 1999.

Population and registered voters:

• Population: 132,581,484 (2003)
• Registered Voters: 60,823,022 (2003)

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: 65,373,969 (2003)

·         Is Nigeria a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (23 April 1984)

·         Has Nigeria ratified CEDAW: Yes (13 June 1985)

·         Gender Quota: No

·         Female candidates in this election: Yes

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 22 (House of Representatives); 3 (Senate) following the 2003 elections

·         Human Development Index Position: 152 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Very High (2014)

Disability Data:

·         Is Nigeria a signatory to CRPD: Yes (30 March 2007)

·         Has Nigeria ratified CRPD: Yes (24 September 2010)

·         Population with a disability: 19,887,222 (est.)