candidates | Zikoko!

Nigerian politics is hard to navigate as a young person and not knowing how to ask politicians the burning questions you have makes it more complicated.

This is why Citizen has partnered with Daria Media to present this year’s version of The Candidates. If you are wondering what this means, we’ve got you.

Daria Media is run by Kadaria Ahmed, a seasoned journalist with decades of experience covering important issues, even in Nigeria’s political space. She has been moderating Presidential Debates and town halls since the 2011 elections.

Kadaria Ahmed [Image source: DNB]

Ahead of the 2019 presidential election, she created The Candidates, an election special town hall meeting for presidential candidates and their running mates to elevate election conversations to issue-based conversations.

With the 2023 elections around the corner, The Candidates is here again but the best part is that we are working with them to ensure that young people are part of the process — asking the right questions and engaging with the presidential candidates.

When will The Candidates begin?

The Candidates will start on Thursday, November 17 and will run till Wednesday, November 23, 2022.

Citizen will bring live updates of the conversations to you through our social media pages and you can ask questions directly that six presidential candidates and their running mates would answer.

There’d be six presidential town halls and seven other remote shows, with leading national commentators hosting these conversations before each town hall.

Fact checkers will also be on ground so no one gets away with telling us lies.

So, who are the candidates?

The Candidates 2019. [Image source: Premium Times]

The top six presidential candidates are expected to take part. Here is the schedule:

Prince Adewole Adebayo and running mate, Alh. Yusuf Buhari, of the Social Democratic Party – November 17, 2022.

Mr. Omoyele Stephen Sowore and running mate, Barrister Haruna Garba Magashi, of the African Action Congress Party (AAC) – November 18, 2022.

Sen. Rabiu Musa Nwankwaso and running mate, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) – November 19, 2022.

Mr. Peter Obi (CON) and running mate, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, of the Labour Party (LP) – November 21, 2022.

Alh. Atiku Abubakar and running mate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) – November 22, 2022.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and running mate, Sen. Shettima Kashim of the All Progressives Congress Party (APC) – November 23, 2022.

How can you participate?

The town hall debates will be happening across six remote locations in Nigerian universities. There’ll be live interactive audiences in Maiduguri, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Kano and Abuja who will also take part in the live town hall series.

An audience of 100 people for each town hall is expected. This is an opportunity for you to hear directly from the candidates and ask them important questions about their plans for you. If you’d like to be a part of the audience, fill the form here.

What else should you know?

If you’d like to learn more about The Candidates, Citizen will be providing exclusive coverage for the duration of the town halls.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok for more information. You can also follow @TheDariaMedia on Twitter and Facebook and @dariamediang on Instagram.

ALSO READ: Why Nigerian Youths Should Ask Politicians Questions

Stephen Agwaibor

November 15, 2022

Citizen

2023 Elections, candidates, citizen, Kadaria Ahmed
With five months left before Nigerians elect a new president, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates for the 2023 presidential election.

More than 90 million Nigerians are registered to vote

What you should know
1. All 18 political parties in Nigeria have candidates on the ballot.
2. There’s only one female candidate and no female running mate.
3. The youngest presidential candidate is 38 years old.
4. The oldest presidential candidate is 75 years old.
Who are the 2023 presidential candidates?

…and who are their running mates?

Christopher Imumolen, 38 — Accord (A)

Education: Bachelor of Engineering

Vice Presidential Candidate: Bello Bala Maru, 59.

Princess Chichi Ojei, 44 — Allied Peoples Movement (APM)

Education: American International School, Lagos

Vice Presidential Candidate: Ibrahim Mohammed, 47

Sunday Adenuga, 48 — Boot Party (BP)

Education: FSLC, SSCE, Master of Science

Vice Presidential Candidate: Mustapha Usman Turaki, 36

Dumebi Kachikwu, 48 — African Democratic Congress (ADC)

Education: FSLC, WAEC

Vice Presidential Candidate: Ahmed Buhari, 40

Nnadi Charles Osita, 49 – Action Peoples Party (APP)

Education: FSLC, SSCE

Vice Presidential Candidate: Hamisu Isah, 45

Adewole Adebayo, 50 — Social Democratic Party (SDP)

Education: FSLC, SSCE, LLB

Vice Presidential Candidate: Buhari Yusuf, 50

Omoyele Sowore, 51 — African Action Congress (AAC)

Education: FSLC, WAEC, MSc

Vice Presidential Candidate: Magashi Haruna Garba, 45

Osakwe Felix Johnson, 57 — National Rescue Movement (NRM)

Education: FSLC, NABTEB, B.A, MSc

Vice Presidential Candidate: Kyabo Yahaya Muhammad, 72

Malik Addo-Ibrahim, 58 — Young Progressives Party (YPP)

Education: BSc in Economics

Vice Presidential Candidate: Enyinna Michael Kasarachi, 44

Kola Abiola, 60 — Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)

Education: FSLC, WAEC, BSc, MBA, MSc

Vice Presidential Candidate: Zego Haro Haruna, 49

Peter Obi, 61 — Labour Party (LP)

Education: FSLC, WASC/GCE

Vice Presidential Candidate: Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, 53

Hamza Al-Mustapha, 62 — Action Alliance (AA)

Education: First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC), WAEC

Vice Presidential Candidate: Johnson Emmanuel Chukwuma, 45

Dan Nwanyanwu, 62 — Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)

Education: WASC, LLB

Vice Presidential Candidate: Abubakar Jibrin Ibrahim, 55

Rabiu Kwankwaso, 66 — New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP)

Education: FSLC, OND, HND, Post-graduate diploma, MSc, PhD

Vice Presidential Candidate: Isaac Idahosa, 57

Peter Umeadi, 67 — All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)

Education: Bachelor of Law (LLB)

Vice Presidential Candidate: Mohammed Abdullahi Koli, 65

Yabagi Sani, 68 — Action Democratic Party (ADP)

Education: FSLC, Secondary School Certificate, BSc

Vice Presidential Candidate: Udo Okey Okoro, 50

Bola Tinubu, 70 — All Progressives Congress (APC)

Education: BSc Business and Administration

Vice Presidential Candidate: Kashim Shettima, 55

Atiku Abubakar, 75 — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

Education: GCE, MSc

Vice Presidential Candidate: Ifeanyi Okowa, 63

May the best man or woman win.

ALSO READ: The Most Dramatic Moments of the 2023 Election Campaign… So Far
Samson Toromade

September 21, 2022

Citizen

2023 Elections, 2023 presidential election, ATIKU ABUBAKAR, Bola Tinubu, candidates, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso
Election season in Nigeria is always bound to be entertaining with everyone on the edge of their seats.

Candidates are the stars of the show and are always under pressure to pull everything out of their arsenals to get people to vote for them.

They can be hairdressers:

Groundnut hawkers:

Agbado tasters:

Or whatever the heck is going on here:

It’s all a part of the game. But there are a few things these candidates aren’t allowed to do to win, according to the Electoral Act.

No insults

This one is funny because one-third of what election candidates in Nigeria do is insult their opponents. One 2023 presidential candidate has already said an opponent is suffering from memory loss, which sounds like an insult to us.

But the Electoral Act frowns against candidates using abusive and slanderous language against one another.

No religious or tribal provocations

The law also prohibits political campaigns from using provocation of religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings as a strategy to win.

Can’t campaign in religious places

This one may sound surprising because candidates already do it all the time, but it’s illegal to run political campaigns in religious centres like churches, mosques or shrines.

Can’t use police stations for campaigns

The same law applies to using police stations for political campaigns. But who wants to campaign at a police station anyway?

Can’t use masquerades

The government must not want masquerades to eat good from the election buffet because candidates aren’t allowed to hire them for campaigns.

Can’t train and use thugs

This one would seem kind of obvious but we understand why it had to be written down in plain terms because we’re talking about Nigerian politicians here.

Candidates aren’t allowed to use thugs to help them ~~rig elections~~ convince voters.

Threaten others into submission

The goal of an election campaign is to convince voters you’re the best choice. The law says you can’t directly or indirectly threaten voters to get their support.

The Electoral Act recommends a maximum fine of ₦1 million or one-year imprisonment for any candidate that violates these guidelines. And we can’t wait to see how many Nigerian politicians will end up behind bars if they’re implemented.

ALSO READ: The 2023 Presidential Campaign Promises We Already Find Laughable

Samson Toromade

September 3, 2022

Citizen

2023 Elections, candidates, Nigerians
Everyone and their grandmother is declaring to contest in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. A certain aspirant’s announcement has inspired more Nigerians to announce their own intentions to run for president on Twitter.

Their chances of winning are laughably impossible, but we rated their Twitter announcements anyway.

9.5/10

The whole Nigeria have not had rest because I haven’t declared.

Students wouldn’t eat cos I’ve not declared.

With utmost humility, I formally declare my intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of PVC.#AdewaleDeclares pic.twitter.com/K12p8KM4Cj
— Slimfit (@iSlimfit) April 11, 2022

Audacious lie, check. Crisp campaign picture, check. Innovative slogan, check. Campaign promises that we all know are lies, check. It’s giving everything we expect from someone running for president.

5.5/10

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility—I welcome it. You’ve asked and I have listened. I formally declare my intentions to run for President. https://t.co/nY1Z1HMwK8 pic.twitter.com/8noGz2PbOP
— Undisputed 👑🎧 (@DJTOHBAHD) April 11, 2022

Too much lighting. Can’t look voters in the face. More likely to be appointed Minister of Fashion.

7/10

https://twitter.com/FaruqBashar/status/1513428476728168448?s=20&t=OqvP-uTnpI2L5ezz8lK7ow

Pro: He’ll legalise weed.

Con: Will spend national budget on owambe.

8/10

There has been pressure on me to do this but I’ve been struggling as my close friends & comrades are also in this race. But my family has refused to eat till I do this. On this note, I hereby humbly declare my intention to run for President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!✨ pic.twitter.com/mch4AiKxv7
— Apụnanwụ✨ (@Bubee_O) April 11, 2022

Obviously in the race to stop family members from starving. We can all understand that sentiment.

ALSO READ: Why Nigeria (Probably) Needs a 102-Year-Old President

8.5/10

I O.O.B with all humility formally declare my Intention to run for the Office of the President of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria. Kindly get your PVC . We can restore Nigeria again. pic.twitter.com/H3VRCh5Rqu
— oladayomi Asake Aderemi (@blessing_asake) April 11, 2022

The fit is presidential. The speech is precise. But we’re not getting carried away. We need some campaign promises. How long before semo is banned?

7/10

https://twitter.com/Lharryvee/status/1513486181274722310?s=20&t=OqvP-uTnpI2L5ezz8lK7ow

That rolling of the sleeves sells this candidacy. This is a candidate that’ll pretend he knows how to fix a faulty car just for the campaign pictures. Real presidential material.

7/10

I’ve heard your cries & I’ve decided to run for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
To every parent who dreams for their children, & to every child who dreams for their future, I say these words to you today: I’m with you, I will fight for you & I will win for you. pic.twitter.com/lKqrouwrig
— Gaffer (@Praise_Ffs) April 11, 2022

Not a lot of poets run for president so maybe we should give this man a chance. The black and white vibe of the campaign picture gives us cause for pause, though.

3/10

After much consultations and plea from everyone, I’ve decided to run for the post of President 🙈
— Falilat (@Falilatt_) April 11, 2022

Obviously not a serious person. Too lazy to roll out with a campaign picture.

8/10

Today, I officially declare my intention to run for the office of the President of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria under the "No Hands" Political Party.

Together we can make the country worse.#WhoNeverFuckUpHandsInTheAir #NoHands #EverybodyDeyCrase pic.twitter.com/NlkR7uI126
— J. (@TheAhmd_) April 11, 2022

We approve of a candidate that’s sincere even if he’s bad boy. He may do all the wrong things as president, but he’ll be entertaining as hell.

10/10

I am today (considering how low the bar has become), with utmost humility and minimal sobriety, formally declaring my intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on whatever platform that is desperate enough to accept me. God bless Nigeria! pic.twitter.com/ra84bfe2Dr
— Sodi K. (@FishaBoi) April 11, 2022

This passes the vibe check. Anyone that looks at this declaration and says it’s not a 10/10 must be Lai Mohammed’s protege.

5/10

after much thought, my humble self have decided to run for the office of the president. I believe with all my heart that together we can collectively fight and get #TheNigeriaWeWant pic.twitter.com/SPT5juECcO
— cruel lenny will (@iwilsonnonny) April 11, 2022

Looks like Dino Melaye reincarnated. Will waste national budget on luxury cars.

6/10

After careful consideration with my team and immediate family. I have decided to run for president of Nigeria Lagos chapter. Thank you to everyone that have supported me in the past. The work just began ❤️#NotToYoungToRule #IDeclare pic.twitter.com/RrFtQCwIJL
— Zaza (@JosephAbalokwu) April 11, 2022

Way too many pictures for a declaration. Interesting choice of location too. Will spend national budget on fine dining.

4/10

After due consultation and pressure from family and friends to do this. I fasted and prayed for this clear vision of leading the people so I hereby humbly declare my intention to run for President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 🇳🇬 ✨

God bless Nigeria #Arizonaforpresident pic.twitter.com/mM8lesAsJ7
— A…R…I…Z…O…N…A (@_MzJayde) April 11, 2022

It’s always best to run away from candidates that use God to run for office. They’re all detty liars.

8/10

This is my mandate, Monday will be added to the weekend and alcohol will become cheaper than bottle water, I will legalize weed and prostitution and #EndSARS
— IYA ONI JERSEY👸🏻👸🏻 (@The_Ronkee) April 11, 2022

Pro: Three-day weekend that cancels Monday.

Con: Can’t look voters in the face.

4/10

https://twitter.com/sliqbak/status/1513457654663979009?s=20&t=Vwgk15nFFnPvCdf1L-bvvw

Can’t quite place it but it looks like he’s running for the position of course rep, not a country’s president. Too young to run.

ALSO READ: Time Is Running Out for You to Register for Your PVC

Samson Toromade

April 11, 2022

Citizen

2023 General Elections, 2023 presidential election, candidates, Twitter
It’s necessary for a country to have ambassadors that will represent Nigeria in foreign countries and this was why the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs screened 15 out of 47 ambassadorial candidates for confirmation on July 26.
Apparently, the candidates were expected to recite the national anthem as part of the exercise but the funniest thing happened.

According to the amebo reported by Punch, some of them were unable to recite the national anthem.

In the report, the people at Punch said some of them were even chopping mouth when asked to recite the national pledge.

The funniest one was the candidate that first recited the old national anthem before he was eventually corrected. Maybe he forgot we’re in 2016 sha.

When people who are supposed to represent Nigeria can’t recite the National anthem and pledge properly.

But who are we to judge? We’re sure some of you have forgotten the national anthem and pledge.

But if you’re a bad guy like us, show yourself in the comment section and let us know if you can remember both of them.

Maryam

July 27, 2016

Gist

candidates, national anthem, national pledge, Nigeria, Nigerian ambassadors, nigerian senators