OPINION POLLS PREDICT BUHARI AS WINNER OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

OPINION POLLS PREDICT BUHARI AS WINNER OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Opinion polls conducted by two research organisations predict that the APC will defeat the PDP in the February 16 presidential election.

A poll conducted by NOI Poll reportedly shows that the APC candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, has an overall lead while the candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, is lagging behind.

In another poll by the British Business Group, findings reportedly shows that Buhari maintains support in the north and southwest, the same regions with the largest share of registered voters.

Recent findings indicate that the two main contenders for the presidential race are President Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The poll conducted by NOI Poll reportedly showed that Buhari support was based on six factors – continuity, fight against corruption, integrity, improving security, helping the poor and preferred choice.

On the other hand, it showed that the support for Atiku was based on the criteria of better economy, better governance, preferred choice, past political records, and restructuring.

The NOI Poll reportedly stated that Buhari had an overall lead. “That President Muhammadu Buhari actually had an overall lead in our polls is cold comfort for his supporters because further analysis confirms that only approximately one-third of the electorate nationwide claimed to be backing his candidacy. Atiku is lagging behind President Muhammadu Buhari,” it stated.

“The strongest argument against Atiku were also those that were brandied around by some of his new friends, who were his erstwhile political enemies. All of a sudden, they would have us forget everything bad that they told us about Atiku….So, PMB is in the lead, but Atiku has momentum.

“Buhari will secure a win…Buhari maintains support in the North and Southwest, the same regions with the largest share of registered voters.”

In the other poll by the British Business Group, findings reportedly showed that Buhari maintains support in the north and southwest, the same regions with the largest share of registered voters. The poll said: “PDP will struggle to mobilise support outside its traditional strongholds, but will face difficulties in funding its campaigns and internal divisions among ambitious governors.”

Findings from the recent polls reportedly did not contradict an earlier report of New York-based global research firm, Eurasia Group, which predicted that the President will win by 60%. Meanwhile, as Nigerians prepare for the February 16, and March 2, general elections, the federal government on Monday, February 11, warned against any form of threat to internal security, before, during and after the polls.