The office of Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has confirmed he will run for another term.
Spokesman Reuben Abati says in a statement that Jonathan will pick up his party's nomination form on Thursday for the February 2015 election.
The formality was expected after the ruling People's Democratic Party nominated President Jonathan as its "sole candidate" last month.
The president and PDP face a challenge from the opposition All Progressives Congress, which has persuaded some lawmakers and several state governors to switch parties over the past year.
Jonathan has faced intense criticism for failing to stop Boko Haram militants who have killed thousands in the north and are holding more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped in April.
On a more positive note, Nigerian authorities successfully halted an Ebola outbreak in the country's largest city, Lagos.
Past Nigerian elections have been marred by violence and alleged fraud. In 2011, the president's victory over former military ruler Muhammaud Buhari set off days of violence that left about 800 people dead.
Jonathan has led Nigeria since the death of his predecessor, Umaru Yar'Adua in 2010.
