People’s Democratic Party (PDP): The ruling party was formed as an election winning vehicle binding many of Nigeria’s diverse ethno-religious and geopolitical interests together after the end of military rule. In elections in 1999 and 2003, the PDP won landslide victories and has an overwhelming dominance of elected officials in Nigeria’s 36 state governments and the national assembly.

All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP): The party is strongest in the Muslim north of the country. It only controls a handful of state governments and does not have much of a presence in many parts of the south of the country. Its political machinery is not as sophisticated as the PDP.