2023: 18 Governors to Leave Office, 10 Seeking Second Term

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released its approved list of governorship candidates for the scheduled March 11, 2023 state elections.

According to the approved list of candidates published on the INEC website, a total number of 18 political parties will be fielding 837 candidates for the 28 governors’ offices come the 2023 elections.

Also, INEC would be conducting elections for twenty-eight (28) states during the elections.

But eighteen (18) of the incumbent state governors would not be retaining their seats beyond the 2023 polls.

The reason was that they would have finished their constitutionally permitted maximum of eight years (two terms) by May 9, 2023.

These Governors include:

1. Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia)

2. Nyesom Wike (Rivers)

3. Ben Ayade (Cross River)

4. Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom)

5. Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta)

6. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu)

7. Dave Umahi (Ebonyi)

8. Aminu Masari (Katsina)

9. Samuel Ortom (Benue)

10. Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna)

11. Umar Ganduje (Kano)

12. Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto)

13. Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger)

14. Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa)

15. Dairus Ishaku (Taraba)

16. Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi)

17. Simon Lalong (Plateau)

18. Mai Mala Buni (Yobe)

Meanwhile, ten incumbent Governors who are vying for a second term in office with their party tickets to ascertain possible re-election are:

1. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos)

2. Seyi Makinde (Oyo)

3. Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa)

4. Bala Mohammed (Bauchi)

5. Babagana Zulum (Borno)

6. Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe)

7. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara)

8. Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa)

9. Dapo Abiodun (Ogun)

10. Bello Matawalle (Zamfara).

However, the March 11, 2023 scheduled elections also include state houses of assembly.