Region and religion will influence Nigerian election

Significance

The ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has broken the convention of a Christian-Muslim balance in its choice of candidates for president and vice-president, while the main opposition Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) has broken the convention of a north-south rotation of the presidency by selecting a northerner as its presidential candidate.

Impacts

• The APC's all-Muslim ticket may fuel religious tensions.
• If youth turnout is low, it will set back Labour Party nominee Peter Obi's chances of election as president.
• Obi will likely remain a serious presidential contender in 2027.