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Abia State:
In Abia state, Emenike Ikechi, Otti Alex, Ukpai Iro, Okey Ahiwe, and Johnson Ugozika were the top contenders for the governorship seat. Emenike Ikechi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, was the favourite to win the elections, but Otti Alex of the Labour Party (LP) was just a little behind in popularity. Ukpai Iro of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) was also a strong contender. At the same time, Okey Ahiwe of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Johnson Ugozika of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) were considered dark horses.
Adamawa State:
In Adamawa state, Dahiru Aishatu of the APC was the front-runner, followed closely by Umaru Fintiri of the PDP. Mustapha Madawaki of the LP was also in the race, along with Mohammed Tahir of the NNPP and Ardo Umar of the SDP. Dahiru Aishatu was a former senator with a lot of goodwill among the people, while Umaru Fintiri was the incumbent governor seeking re-election.
Akwa Ibom State:
In Akwa Ibom state, Akanimo Udofia of the APC was the top contender, followed by Eno Bassey of the PDP. Okon Usen of the LP, Akpandoedehe James of the NNPP, and Udoh, Monday of the SDP, were also in the race. Akanimo Udofia was a former commissioner in the state and had a lot of support from the people. Eno Bassey, on the other hand, was the incumbent governor's candidate, which gave her an edge.
Bauchi State:
In Bauchi state, Abubakar Sadique of the APC was the favourite to win, followed by Mohammad Bala of the PDP. Abubakar Ibrahim of the LP, Halliru Jika of the NNPP, and Mohammed Aminu of the SDP were also in the race. Abubakar Sadique was a former speaker of the state house of assembly and had a lot of support from the people. Mohammad Bala was the incumbent governor's candidate, which gave him an advantage.
Benue State:
In Benue state, Uba Tyoapine of the PDP was the top contender, followed by Alia Hyacinth of the APC. Hembe Herman of the LP, Angwe Bem of the NNPP, and Mede James of the SDP were also in the race. Uba Tyoapine was the state's deputy governor, which gave him an edge over other candidates. Alia Hyacinth was a former commissioner and had a lot of support from the people.
Borno State:
In Borno State, five candidates are contesting for the governorship seat. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has Babagana Umaru as its candidate. Goni Abdulahi is the Labour Party (LP) candidate, while Umar Ali-Nasco will be contesting under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Ali Muhammed is the candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Alhaji Modu will be contesting under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Cross River State
Four candidates will be contesting for the governorship seat in Cross River State. Otu Bassey is the candidate for APC, while Obu Ogar is the candidate for LP. Onor Sandy is the candidate for PDP, and Okokon Epet will be contesting under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Delta State:
Delta State has five candidates contesting for the governorship seat. Omo-Agege Ovie is the candidate for APC, Pela Kawhariebie will compete under the Labour Party (LP), and Agbi Goodnews is the candidate for New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Oborevwori Sheriff is the candidate for PDP, and Obagi Kenneth is for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Ebonyi State:
In Ebonyi State, five candidates will be contesting for the governorship seat. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has Nwifuru Francis as its candidate, while Nkwegu Edward is the candidate for the Labour Party (LP). Adol-Awam Chris will contest under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Chukwuma Odii will be the candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Nwankwo Michael is the candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Enugu State:
Enugu State has five candidates contesting for the governorship seat. Nnaji Geoffrey is the candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Edeoga Chijioke is the Labour Party (LP) candidate. Eze Cajetan is the candidate for New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Mbah Peter is the candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Frank Nweke is the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate.
Gombe State:
In Gombe State, five candidates will be contesting for the governorship seat. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has Yahaya Mohammed as its candidate, while Amuga Keftin is the candidate for Labour Party (LP). Ahmed Khamisu will contest under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Jibrin Muhammad is the candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Lazarus Kelmi is the candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Jigawa state:
Jigawa state has five candidates vying for the governorship seat: Namadi Umar (APC), Abdullahi Tsoho (LP), Ibrahim Aminu (NNPP), Lamido Mustapha (PDP), and Ibrahim Ahmed (SDP).
Kaduna state:
Kaduna state also has five candidates: Sani Uba (APC), Asake Jonathan (LP), Othman Hunkuyi (NNPP), Mohammed Ashiru (PDP), and Idris Adamu (SDP).
Kano state:
Kano state has four candidates: Gawuna Nasiru (APC), Abdullahi Mohammed (LP), Yusuf Abba (NNPP), Wali Mohammed (PDP), and Mohammed Bala (SDP).
Katsina state:
Katsina state has five candidates: Umaru Dikko (APC), Abu Musawa (LP), Khalil Mohammed (NNPP), Garba Yakubu (PDP), and Zakari Ibrahim (SDP).
Kebbi state:
Kebbi state has four candidates: Garba Abubakar (APC), Tase Gambo (LP), Bande Aminu (PDP), and Ahmed Atiku (SDP).
Kwara state:
Kwara state has five candidates: Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman (APC), Abubakar Basambo (LP), Abdulraheem Shuaibu (NNPP), Abdullahi Shuaibu (PDP), and Lawal Hakeem (SDP).
Lagos state:
Lagos state has five candidates: Sanwo-Olu Babajide (APC), Rhodes-Vivour Gbadebo (LP), Jim-Kamal Olarenwaju (NNPP), Adediran Azeez (PDP), and Uthman Olakunle (SDP).
Nasarawa state:
Nasarawa state has five candidates: Sule Audu (APC), Ewuge Joseph (LP), Yakubu Abdullahi (NNPP), Emmanuel David (PDP), and Mohammed Mustapha (SDP).
Niger state:
Niger state has five candidates: Mohammed Umaru (APC), Bawa Joshua (LP), Yahaya Ibrahim (NNPP), Liman Isah (PDP), and Yarima Bukhari (SDP).
Ogun state:
Ogun state has four candidates: Abiodun Adedapo (APC), Oguntoyinbo Olufemi (NNPP), Oladipupo Adebutu (PDP), and Ojeshina Anthony (SDP).
Oyo state:
Oyo state has five candidates: Folarin Kolawole (APC), Akinwale Tawfiq (LP), Popoola Olukayode (NNPP), Makinde Oluseyi (PDP), and Lana Michael (SDP).
Plateau state:
Plateau state has five candidates: Goshwe Nentawe (APC), Dakum Patrick (LP), Dabwan Alfred (NNPP), Mutfwang Caleb (PDP), and Binchak Ibrahim (SDP).
Rivers state:
Rivers state has five candidates: Cole Tonye (APC), Itubo Beatrice (LP), Agwor Samuel (NNPP), Fubara Siminalayi (PDP), and Abe Magnus (SDP).
Sokoto state:
In Sokoto state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has put forward Aliyu Ahmed as its candidate, while Umar Aminu is running for the Labour Party (LP), Dahiru Umaru is running under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Umar Saidu is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Umar Abubakar is running for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Taraba state:
In Taraba state, the APC has presented Bwacha Emmanuel, while Joel Damladi is running under the LP, Yahaya Mohammed is running under the NNPP, Kefa Agbu is the candidate of the PDP, and Baido Danladi is running for the SDP.
Yobe state:
For the Yobe gubernatorial race, the APC is fielding Abdullahi Mohammad, while Muhammad Ahmed is running under the LP, Umar Garba is the candidate of the NNPP, Abdulahi Sharif is running for the PDP, and Audi Dalhatu is the candidate of the SDP.
Zamfara state:
In Zamfara state, Bello Mohammed is running for the APC, Ahmed Yahuza is running for the LP, Lawal Dauda is the candidate for the PDP, and Washo Sani is running for the SDP.
In addition to these candidates, many others are vying for gubernatorial seats in the 28 states where elections occur. The polls are expected to be fiercely contested, with each party hoping to emerge victorious.
The APC currently holds most gubernatorial seats in Nigeria and is looking to maintain its dominance in the upcoming elections. However, the PDP, the main opposition party in the country, hopes to make significant gains and secure more seats in the state governments.
The NNPP, a relatively new political party, also hopes to make an impact in the elections and increase its presence in the country's political landscape. Similarly, the LP and SDP want to make their mark and increase their representation in the state governments.
The gubernatorial elections in Nigeria are always highly anticipated and are seen as an essential indicator of the country's political climate. This year's elections are expected to be the same, with voters in the various states expected to cast their ballots in large numbers.
There are concerns, however, about the security situation in the country, especially in the northern regions where there has been an upsurge in terrorist activities. The Nigerian government has assured citizens that it is taking steps to ensure that the elections are peaceful and that voters can cast their ballots without fear of violence.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), responsible for conducting the elections, has also assured Nigerians that it is prepared to conduct free, fair, and credible elections. The commission has been working tirelessly to ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place and that voters can vote in a secure and peaceful environment.
The gubernatorial elections are just one part of the political process in Nigeria, which is a multi-party democracy. The country's political landscape is diverse and complex, with various parties vying for power at the federal and state levels.
As the elections approach, political parties and their candidates are stepping up their campaigns, reaching out to voters nationwide and making promises about what they will do if elected. The outcome of the elections will have significant implications for the country's political future and will determine the direction of the states for the next four years.