Nigerian Elections

Nigerian elections have been irregular since 1959 due to frequent military rule interruptions.
Elections have been uninterrupted only since 1999, though initially marked by significant fraud.
Citizens vote for representatives in local, state, and federal governments, including the President and National Assembly.
The 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011 elections were marred by violence and fraud, but improvements have been noted with more effective prosecution of fraud.
The 2015 and 2019 elections are considered the best yet, highlighted by a landmark victory by a challenger and the defeat of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Nigeria employs a two-round run-off election system for the President, similar to Russia and Iran.
If no candidate secures 50% of the vote in the first round, a run-off is held.
Presidential elections occur every four years, coinciding with National Assembly elections.
A unique requirement promotes federalism: to prevent regional candidates, a winning candidate must obtain at least 25% of the votes in two-thirds of the states.

Following the death of dictator Abacha, General Abubakar supervised the transition to democracy.
1999 & 2003: Former General Obasanjo, a Christian from the south, won the presidency in the first round of both elections. These elections were violent and fraudulent.
Obasanjo's attempt to amend the constitution for a third term was blocked by Congress.
2007: Obasanjo's hand-picked successor, Yar’Adua, a Muslim from the north, was elected with 70% amid fraud allegations.
2011: After Yar’Adua's death due to kidney failure, his ally, former VP Goodluck Johnathon, a Christian from the south, won the election with 58% of the vote, defeating former General Buhari.
- Some criticized Johnathon, arguing that a Muslim should have replaced Yar’Adua to honor a