Nigerians are about to go to the polls to elect a
president, with incumbent Goodluck Jonathan facing
a strong challenge from Muhammadu Buhari.
It is expected to be the most closely fought election
since independence, set against a background of
violence from militant Islamist group Boko Haram.
The People's Democratic Party (PDP) has
dominated Nigerian politics since 1999, but the All
Progressives Congress (APC) is viewed as a
serious challenge.
The polls open at 07:00 GMT.
The two main presidential candidates have signed
an agreement to prevent violence. during the
election and its aftermath.
Some 800 people were killed after the 2011 contest
between the two rivals.
The polls were due to be held on 14 February, but
were postponed to give the electoral commission
more time to prepare for the polls and for regional
forces to regain territory from Boko Haram in the
north-east.
On Friday, the Nigerian army said it had retaken the
town of Gwoza, believed to be the headquarters of
Boko Haram.
Voters in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
of Abuja - the capital - will also elect members of
the house of representatives and the senate.
Two main presidential candidates:
Muhammadu Buhari , All Progressives Congress
(APC), Muslim northerner, ex-military ruler, fourth
presidential bid
Goodluck Jonathan , People's Democratic Party
(PDP), Christian southerner, incumbent president,
second-term bid
Years of military rule ended in 1999 and the PDP
has been in power ever since
Nigeria is Africa's largest economy and leading
oil producer
With a population of more than 170m, it is also
Africa's most populous nation
Nation split in tight contest
Nigeria decides 2015: Election coverage
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday:
"The international community has high expectations
that Nigeria will provide leadership in setting a high
standard for this election."
He called on Nigerians - in Africa's most populous
nation - to vote in large numbers.
He added that he hoped the presidential and
parliamentary elections would be "transparent,
inclusive and peaceful".
Campaign group Human Rights Watch says Boko
Haram has killed some 1,000 people this year
alone.
On Wednesday, army chief Kenneth Minimah said
adequate security arrangements had been made for
the polls.
On Thursday, the government closed its land and
sea borders for the election.
The polls are due to close at 17:00 GMT.
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