1. Political parties in Nigeria Natchaya Zhou & Sumi Nam

3. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Founded in 1998 Chairman: Adamu Mu’azu Free market oriented Political position: center- right Ideology: conservatism & economic liberalism Won every presidential election between 1999 to 2011

4. Issues PDP is against same-sex relations In the year 2000 the introduction of Islamic law in some states in Northern Nigeria triggered sectarian violence in Kaduna and Abia states

5. The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Founded in 2009 chairman: Tony Momoh Political position: left wing Ideaology: progressivism (advancement in science, technology, economic development, and social organization are vital to improve the human condition)& federalism In February 2013 CPC merged with the Action Congress of Nigeria, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance to form the All Progressives Congress.

6. All Progressive Congress Formed in 2013, merged to take on the PDP The APC is considered to be a center-left political party Favors regulated market economic policies, and a strong and active role for government regulation

7. Action Congress of Nigeria Chairman: Chief Bisi Akande Formed: September, 2006 Mergers: the Alliance of Democracy, the Justice Party, the Advanced C ongress of Democrats and several others. Political position: centre-right Ideology: Conservatism, Capitalism, Pan-Africanism Seats: 18 in senates, 74 in house

8. Regarded as the successor to the progressive politics m ore closely associated with the Action Group and Unite d Party of Nigeria (UPN) led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the first and second republics. However the criticism of the party’s more pragmatic and less ideological outl ook associating with Action Group and UPN. Strong presence in southwest

9. Socialist Party of Nigeria Democratic socialist movement Position: far left Ideology: Socialism Registered for the 2015 election, but was rejected by th e Independent National Electoral Commission (INE C). SPN later sued INEC on the Federal High Court, claiming it fail to respond to their petition within 30 da ys as prescribed by the law.

10. Fresh Democratic Party President: Muhammadu Buhari Founded: 2007 Believes: the unity and diversity of Nigerian nation; the s anctity and collective will of the Nigerian people; the righ t of the Nigerian to good, accountable and compass ionate leadership; and that federalism is the most effecti ve form of co-existence in Nigeria.

11. Progressive People Alliance Chairman: Peter Ojonugwa Ameh Founded: 2003 Ideology: Progressivism, federalism, anti- c ommunism and unionism Seats: 1 in senate, 3 in the houses Join the government of president Umara Ya r’Adua after 2007

12. Independent National Electoral Commision Chairman: Attahiru Muhammadu Jega (nominated by Go odluck Jonathan) Founded in 1998 Electoral body set up to oversee elections in Nigeria The Supreme Court ruled that the INEC can not disqualify ca ndidates. Crisis: During the campaigning for the 2015 Nigerian gen eral election. Attiru Jega faced fierce criticism from both the o pposition and the ruling party. Nonetheless, most experts b elieve Jega will seek to declare an accurate result as quickly as possible. Regardless of any political interference he may face.

13. Bribery in Election Nigeria's two main political parties are delivering bags of ric e, etched with the faces of candidates, to voters in an attem pt to sway the polls in their favour ahead of one of the close st elections in the country's history. Amid accusations of vote-rigging and vote buying by the cou ntry's political elite, this tactic, by both incumbent preside nt Goodluck Jonathan's People's Democratic Party (PDP) a nd opposition leader Muhammadu Buhari's All Progressiv es Congress (APC) party, is an open attempt to persuade vot ers into casting their ballot in favour of the respective candi date.