Nigerians Go to the Polls to Elect 28 State Governors and 993 Legislators
Today, Nigerians will be electing 28 State Governors and 993 State Legislators in 28 States of the Nigerian Federation.[0] According to statistics provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a total of 993 State Assembly seats are up for grabs.[1] Candidates from the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), are competing for the gubernatorial and legislative seats across the country.
In the 28 states where the governorship election is taking place, 10 incumbent governors are seeking re-election while 18 are outgoing. Among the 11 governors who are seeking re-election are Governor Dapo Abiodun of the APC in Ogun State and Governor Umar Fintiri of the PDP in Adamawa State. New candidates are vying for the remaining 17 states.[2]
In Lagos State, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of the PDP will not be on the ballot as he rounds off his second term. The battle for the governor's seat will be between Sheriff Oborevwori of the PDP and Ovie Omo-Agege of the APC. The LP is also said to be relying on the Peter Obi phenomenon, coupled with Alex Otti's record, while the PDP believes its penetration and about 24 years of being in power will work for it.[2]
In Abia State, 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 State, the APC and its gubernatorial candidate, Senator Omo-Agege, still appear poised to win the election, despite eight governorship candidates and the leadership of their political parties in Delta State stepping down for the governorship candidate of PDP, Hon.[3] Sheriff Oborevwori.[3]
0. “Nigeria Counts Votes in Elections to Choose New State Governors” AllAfrica – Top Africa News, 18 Mar. 2023, https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00085160.html
1. “Vote counting begins in Gov, Assembly elections” Nigerian Observer, 18 Mar. 2023, https://nigerianobservernews.com/2023/03/vote-counting-begins-in-gov-assembly-elections
2. “Upsets likely as 28 states elect governors today” Punch Newspapers, 18 Mar. 2023, https://punchng.com/upsets-likely-as-28-states-elect-governors-today/
3. “Governorship: Die Is Cast” Leadership News, 18 Mar. 2023, https://leadership.ng/governorship-die-is-cast/
