The countdown to Nigeria’s 2023 general elections continues and both government and private organizations are putting in their quota to ensure the smooth run of the general elections.
As part of its commitment to helping entrench Nigeria’s democratic space, PRNigeria has conducted a SWOT Analysis and presented a security report, on the five major presidential candidates in the forthcoming elections.
The report, titled “2023 elections; SWOT Analysis of Major presidential candidates and security matters was presented at a press conference at PRNigeria Abuja Office on Wednesday 15th Feb. 2023.
The 5 presidential candidates include
- Omoyele Sowore of ADC
- Bola Tinubu of the ruling APC
- Peter Obi of LP
- Rabiu Kwankwaso of NNPP
- Atiku Abubakar of PDP
Deputy editor of PRNigeria and lead speaker at the conference, Abdullah Mahmud said the analysis was carried out with a view to ensuring relevant security agencies are informed about the frontline candidates’ profiles and how their participation in the electoral process can affect the country’s fragile peace and unity, in the next few days, months, and years ahead.
According to Mahmud, the research also identified volatile states across the country where proactive measures need to be taken by security agencies to avoid incidents of violence. From trips made and surveys conducted, Rivers, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Oyo, Kano, Kebbi, Borno, Gombe, Kwara and Niger expressed fears and aspirations of the electorate in these states as well as others.
One of the observations in the report is that the rash, unscientific opinion polls and partisan projections have heightened public anxiety and influenced extreme optimism among candidates and their supporters, which could undermine national security.
It also pointed out that ethnocentric and religious sentiments at political campaigns has created further fear of violence during and after the elections.
The report revealed that voter empathy may be hard in some places as some electorates still believe that their votes don’t count, maintaining the assumption that the outcomes of most elections are predetermined.
The report in its recommendations urged political parties and their supporters to adhere to electoral rules and that the general public avoids any form of violence. It also recommended that the media shunned sensationalism.
