INEC releases names of candidates for 2015 presidential election

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has released the names of the presidential candidates and their running mates who will contest the 2015 elections.

Although there are 26 registered political parties in Nigeria, only 11 have submitted names of candidates to run for the presidency.


The ruling Peoples democratic party, PDP, submitted the names of President Goodluck Jonathan and his vice,Namadi Sambo, while the main opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, submitted the names ofMuhammadu Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo as presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Others are Oluremi Sonaiya and Saidu Bobboi for Kowa Party, Ambrose Albert and Haruna Shaba forHope Democratic Party, Ganiyu Galadima and Balarabe Ahmed of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, Rafiu Salau and Clinton Cliff Akuchie for Alliance for Democracy, AD and Godson Okoye andHaruna Adamu, for United Democratic Party, UDP.

Others are Nani Ibrahim Ahmad and Obianuju Murphy-Uzohue of African Democratic Congress, Martin Onovo and Ibrahim Mohammed of National Conscience Party, NCP, Tunde Anifowoshe-Kelani and Paul Ishaka Ofomile of Action Alliance and Chekwas Okorie and bello Umar of United Progressive Party.

The Labour Party, LP, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, have already adopted the PDP candidate, Goodluck Jonathan as their candidate as well.

Of all the 11 candidates, only Messrs. Jonathan and Buhari were candidates in the last election in 2011.