In Nigeria, a long-awaited presidential election

Nigeria is the most populous African country, it is the first economy of the continent. It is also the greatest test of democracy in Africa, which serves as an example especially in the Western region which has seen military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea. The security situation is a priority in the political debate.

For the presidential election on February 25, 18 candidates are in the running. For the first time since the end of military rule in 1999 and the restoration of democracy, none of the candidates is a former military leader or an incumbent president. The race is tight. Three candidates emerge from the latest polls, including two heavyweights: the ruling party candidate Bola Tinubu, 70, one of the richest men in the country. Money from heroin trafficking would have passed through one of his accounts, he was not prosecuted. The other is Atiku Abubacar, 76, from the main opposition party. A convinced capitalist, one of his wives who has American nationality would have helped him to place money in offshore accounts.

Peter Obi scares traditional candidates

And finally, the favorite of the latest polls, the surprise: Peter Obi, Labor candidate, 62 years old. son of a merchant who has succeeded in the business, a committed Christian, he does not like to spread his money unlike the others. He has the reputation of being a simple man. His name still appeared in the Pandora Papers investigation. But his supporters don’t blame him. He has with him youth and social networks.

40% of registered voters are under 35 years old. How many will vote for the youth candidate? He is nicknamed Mr. Clean, in a country ranked 154th out of the 180 on the list of the most corrupt by the NGO Transparency International. Peter Obi embodies the political awakening of African youth who dream of a better future after decades of bad governance.