Nigeria to vote in most unpredictable election in years

The February 25 election will be closely watched after coups in Mali and Burkina Faso knocked West Africa's democracy and Islamist militancy spread north of Nigeria's Gulf of Guinea neighbours

Nigerians will vote for a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in an unprecedented race between three frontrunners battling to govern Africa's most populous democracy.

After eight years under Mr. Buhari, Nigeria still faces huge challenges, from attacks by jihadists and separatists, a sluggish economy and growing poverty, leaving many Nigerians desperate for change.

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The February 25 election will be closely watched after coups in Mali and Burkina Faso knocked West Africa's democracy and Islamist militancy spread north of Nigeria's Gulf of Guinea neighbours.

Megacity Lagos may have put Nigeria on the map for the world's second largest movie industry Nollywood and for Afrobeats that produced global music stars Burna Boy and Wizkid. But the new leader of Africa's top oil producer and its largest economy will inherit a bewildering set of security and financial problems.

Mr. Buhari's ruling All Progressives Congress or the APC is fielding Bola Tinubu, 70, a long-time kingmaker who points to his success as Lagos governor and claims "It is my turn".

Touting his business acumen to "rescue" Nigeria, opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate former vice president Atiku Abubakar, 76, is on his sixth bid to claim Aso Rock's presidential villa.