Against a backdrop of economic crisis caused by falling oil prices, rampant corruption and a vicious conflict continuing to be waged at will by Islamist extremists, Africa’s most populous nation goes to the polls twice this month. There is great tension in the air as nearly 70 million Nigerians prepare to cast their votes next Saturday in elections for the presidency, the 109-member Senate and the 360-member House of Representatives. Then just two weeks later, on 28 February, even more hotly contested elections, for the governors and the assemblies of Nigeria’s 36 states, are scheduled to take place.However, even at this late stage doubt hangs over these crucial elections, which could be postponed at the last minute because, as of the start of this month, more than 20 million