With the whistle blown by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 18 registered political parties in Nigeria to commence country-wide electioneering campaigns towards the 2023 general elections, millions of Nigerians are anxiously waiting for the release of the candidates’ manifestoes.

But the parties and their candidates appear to be playing a cat and mouse game with the release of their most priced documents for fear of copycats and plagiarism of ideas. None of the political parties has been able to release a copy of its comprehensive manifesto which is a document waiting to be evaluated by Nigerians to determine the depth, preparedness and seriousness of the candidates.

While some of the parties have been able to unveil the list of their campaign councils, majority of them are yet to constitute such committees or councils. The Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday inaugurated its 600 member- Presidential Campaign Council headed by Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, the Governor of Akwa Ibom state governor. The event took place after the launching of three books on its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The ruling All Pregressives Congress is having a challenge in perfecting its Presidential Campaign Council as the 422-persons list earlier released is mired in controversy with some names nominated by sitting governors were omitted. The APC subsequently withdrew the list for amendments while its advertised campaign timetable had to be adjusted. No date has been given for the event yet.

Election Umpire, the INEC has also stepped up its monitoring duty and has issued to the political parties a list of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ during the campaigns. It specifically warned against the use of hate speech, fake news and incitements on religious and ethnic grounds during the campaigns. It wants the candidates to avoid campaigns in mosques and churches.

Additionally, INEC warns to monitor campaign expenses in accordance with the Electoral Act of 2022 and has to this end dispatch documents to be entered on their campaign expenses to all the registered political parties.

The 2023 presidential election will hold on February 25, to elect President and the Vice President. Election will hold the same date for candidates aspiring to go to Senate and House of Representatives.

Seventeen of the eighteen political parties have fielded presidential candidates and deputies for the 2023 elections. The list published by INEC contains the names of candidates validly nominated for national elections at the close of party primaries.
The candidates and their political parties are as follows:

1. Imumolen Christopher – Accord Party (AP)
2. Al-Mustapha Hamza – Action Alliance (AA)
3. Sowore Omoyele – African Action Congress (AAC)
4. Kachikwu Dumebi – African Democratic Congress (ADC)
5. Sani Yabagi Yusuf – Action Democratic Party (ADP)
6. Tinubu Bola Ahmed – All Progressives Congress (APC)
7. Umeadi Peter Nnanna – All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
8. Ojei Princess Chichi – Allied People’s Movement (APM)
9. Nnamdi Charles Osita – Action Peoples Party (APP)
10. Adenuga Sunday Oluwafemi – Boot Party (BP)
11. Obi Peter Gregory – Labour Party (LP)
12. Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso – New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
13. Osakwe Felix Johnson – National Rescue Movement (NRM)
14. Abubakar Atiku – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
15. Abiola Latifu Kolawole – Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
16. Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer – Social Democratic Party (SDP)
17. Ado-Ibrahim Abdumalik – Young Progressives Party (YPP)

The media is expected to balance its coverage of all the political parties and their candidates during the period of electioneering.