Nigerian States Set to Elect New Governors and Legislators
Today, the 28 states of the Nigerian federation are electing their respective state's chief executives and legislators to the 36 State Houses of Assembly.[0] 11 governors are seeking re-election, while new candidates are vying for the governorship seats of the remaining 17 states.[1]
In Lagos, the political battle will largely be between the ruling PDP’s Peter Mbah and the LP’s Chijioke Edeoga.[2] Frank Nweke Jnr, a former minister, is a strong candidate of the APGA party.[2] It is reported that the LP is capitalizing on the popularity of Peter Obi in tandem with the accomplishments of Otti, while the PDP is counting on its expansive reach and lengthy tenure as the ruling party to garner votes.[3]
In Nasarawa, Joseph Ewuga will be up against an incumbent who is seeking a second term, Audu Sule of APC.[4] In the Nasarawa presidential election, Labour Party earned 35% of the votes, with APC coming in second place with 31%.[4]
In Adamawa, Governor Umar Fintiri of the PDP is seeking re-election.[2] Aishatu Binani of the APC is his main challenger.[3] The PDP secured victory in the presidential election in the state with 417,611 votes, compared to the APC's 182,881 votes and the LP's 105,648 votes.[3]
In Oyo, the race is predicted to be between Okey Ahiwe of the PDP and Alex Otti of the LP.[3] Ikechi Emenike of the All Progressives Congress and Professor Greg Ibe of the All Progressives Grand Alliance are both formidable candidates in the upcoming election.[3]
In Abia, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of the PDP is not on the ballot as he is rounding off his second term, but there are fears that the party may not retain the state, given that the governor lost his senatorial bid to Eyinnaya Abaribe of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, while the LP scored 327,095 votes to trump the PDP’s 22,676 votes in the presidential election.
In Delta, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of the PDP will not be on the ballot as he rounds off his second term, but there are indications that the party may not have a smooth ride to victory as it has since 1999.
0. “LIVE Fact-Check: 2023 governorship and state assembly election” ICIR, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.icirnigeria.org/live-fact-check-2023-governorship-and-state-assembly-election/
1. “2023 Governorship Election: Live Updates from INEC IReV Results in 28 States” PR Nigeria, 19 Mar. 2023, https://prnigeria.com/2023/03/19/governorship-election
2. “14 States In Dramatic Governorship Contest” Leadership News, 17 Mar. 2023, https://leadership.ng/14-states-in-dramatic-governorship-contest/
3. “Upsets likely as 28 states elect governors today” Punch Newspapers, 18 Mar. 2023, https://punchng.com/upsets-likely-as-28-states-elect-governors-today/
4. “8 governorship candidates to watch out for during the March 18 gubernatorial election” Nairametrics, 16 Mar. 2023, https://nairametrics.com/2023/03/16/8-governorship-candidates-to-watch-out-for-during-the-march-18-gubernatorial-election/
