Presidential Candidates Scramble to Meet Campaign Deadline Amid Intense Competition

As the 2015 general election approaches, the presidential candidates have less than 46 days to campaign, a tight schedule that will make the contest particularly fierce. President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress are engaging in intense backroom arrangements and consultations to make the most of the short time left before the February 14 election date. The candidates have been holding strategy meetings and preparing their campaign structures, with some relying on prominent stakeholders in the states to aid their electioneering efforts.

Key Takeaways:

• The presidential candidates have less than 46 days to campaign, a tight schedule that will make the contest particularly fierce.
• President Jonathan has intensified backroom arrangements and consultations, visiting former military president Ibrahim Babangida to seek his support in his re-election bid.
• General Buhari has been holding strategy meetings with key stakeholders in the states, aiming to put together an effective campaign structure and get the party to fully take charge of his presidential campaign.
• Transparency International has pledged to partner with civil society organisations to ensure the elections are free and fair.
• The presidential candidates may rely heavily on prominent stakeholders in the states for the electioneering, given the time constraints and the need to cover all the states of the federation.
• President Jonathan's visit to Babangida was believed to be an attempt to enlist the help of the former military leader in his second term campaign, while General Buhari is working to harmonise his campaign structure and make it more inclusive.
• The campaign committees for the two major parties, APC and PDP, have been named, with Professor Yemi Osinbajo as Buhari's vice presidential candidate and Vice President Namadi Sambo as Jonathan's running mate.

Statistics:

• 46 days left for the presidential candidates to campaign (before February 14, the election date).
• 39 days left for campaigns to run, effectively from January 5 to February 12.
• 90 days stipulated in the Electoral Act for the period of campaigning in public by every political party.
• 24 hours prior to polling day when campaigning shall end, as stated in Section 99 of the Electoral Act.

Sources:

• This Day
• AllAfrica Global Media
• Transparency International
• Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
• Section 99 of the Electoral Act