List of elected governors in Nigeria -

Last Updated on 24 January 2025 by Naijadazz

Nigeria: Governance and Elections

Nigeria is a federal republic consisting of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This article explores the outcomes of the 2023 gubernatorial elections, shedding light on how governors emerged victorious, along with an analysis of the political dynamics shaping these results.

2023 Gubernatorial Elections Overview

On March 18, 2023, elections were held in 28 states, while elections in 8 states—Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun—were conducted off-cycle due to legal and historical precedents.

Below is a detailed breakdown of all 36 states and the elected governors:

1. Abia State: Alex Otti (Labour Party)

Alex Otti of the Labour Party won with 175,467 votes, defeating Okey Ahiwe of the PDP, who garnered 88,529 votes. Otti’s anti-corruption message and the wave of support from Peter Obi’s presidential campaign played a vital role.

2. Adamawa State: Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (PDP)

Fintiri was re-elected with 430,861 votes, narrowly defeating Aishatu Dahiru (Binani) of the APC, who garnered 398,788 votes. His infrastructure and security reforms bolstered his popularity.

3. Akwa Ibom State: Umo Eno (PDP)

Umo Eno secured 356,348 votes, with Akanimo Udofia of the APC receiving 136,262 votes. Eno’s endorsement by Governor Udom Emmanuel was key to his success.

4. Anambra State: Charles Soludo (APGA)

In an off-cycle election in 2021, Charles Soludo won with 112,229 votes, defeating Valentine Ozigbo of the PDP with 53,807 votes. Soludo’s technocratic background and developmental agenda were pivotal.

5. Bauchi State: Bala Mohammed (PDP)

Bala Mohammed retained his seat with 525,280 votes, defeating Sadique Abubakar of the APC, who secured 432,272 votes. His focus on education and healthcare ensured his victory.

6. Bayelsa State: Douye Diri (PDP)

Douye Diri won the off-cycle election in 2019 and maintained his position in 2023 with 143,172 votes, defeating Timipre Sylva of the APC, who garnered 42,841 votes.

7. Benue State: Hyacinth Alia (APC)

Hyacinth Alia won with 473,933 votes, defeating Titus Uba of the PDP, who secured 223,913 votes. His campaign focused on addressing insecurity and governance challenges.

8. Borno State: Babagana Zulum (APC)

Babagana Zulum emerged victorious with 545,543 votes, defeating Mohammed Jajari of the PDP, who managed 82,147 votes. Zulum’s proactive approach to rebuilding insurgency-hit areas earned him massive support.

9. Cross River State: Bassey Otu (APC)

Bassey Otu secured 258,619 votes, while Sandy Onor of the PDP garnered 179,636 votes. His victory was attributed to grassroots mobilization and plans to revitalize the economy.

10. Delta State: Sheriff Oborevwori (PDP)

Sheriff Oborevwori won with 360,234 votes, defeating Ovie Omo-Agege of the APC, who secured 240,229 votes. His deep grassroots connections were crucial to his success.

11. Ebonyi State: Francis Nwifuru (APC)

Francis Nwifuru triumphed with 199,131 votes, defeating Ifeanyi Odii of the PDP, who garnered 80,191 votes. Support from outgoing Governor Dave Umahi bolstered his campaign.

12. Edo State: Godwin Obaseki (PDP)

Governor Godwin Obaseki retained his position during the off-cycle election in 2020, securing 307,955 votes, while Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the APC garnered 223,619 votes.

13. Ekiti State: Biodun Oyebanji (APC)

Biodun Oyebanji won the 2022 off-cycle election with 187,057 votes, defeating Segun Oni of the SDP with 82,211 votes. His campaign focused on economic development.

14. Enugu State: Peter Mbah (PDP)

Peter Mbah emerged victorious with 160,895 votes, defeating Chijioke Edeoga of the Labour Party, who garnered 157,552 votes. His campaign emphasized innovation and infrastructure.

15. Gombe State: Inuwa Yahaya (APC)

Inuwa Yahaya secured re-election with 342,821 votes, defeating Jibrin Barde of the PDP, who managed 233,131 votes.

16. Imo State: Hope Uzodinma (APC)

Hope Uzodinma retained his position in the 2019 off-cycle election. His tenure has been marked by efforts to address security challenges in the state.

17. Jigawa State: Umar Namadi (APC)

Umar Namadi won with 618,449 votes, defeating Mustapha Sule Lamido of the PDP, who garnered 368,726 votes.

18. Kaduna State: Uba Sani (APC)

Uba Sani triumphed with 730,002 votes, defeating Isah Ashiru of the PDP, who secured 719,196 votes. His campaign emphasized security and youth empowerment.

19. Kano State: Abba Kabir Yusuf (NNPP)

Abba Kabir Yusuf of the NNPP emerged victorious with 1,019,602 votes, defeating Nasir Gawuna of the APC, who garnered 890,705 votes.

20. Katsina State: Dikko Umaru Radda (APC)

Dikko Radda secured 859,892 votes, defeating Yakubu Lado Danmarke of the PDP, who garnered 486,620 votes.

21. Kebbi State: Nasir Idris (APC)

Nasir Idris emerged victorious with 409,225 votes, defeating Aminu Bande of the PDP, who garnered 360,940 votes.

22. Kogi State: Yahaya Bello (APC)

In the 2019 off-cycle election, Yahaya Bello won with 406,222 votes, defeating Musa Wada of the PDP with 189,704 votes.

23. Kwara State: AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (APC)

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was re-elected with 273,424 votes, defeating Abdullah Yahman of the PDP, who managed 155,490 votes.

24. Lagos State: Babajide Sanwo-Olu (APC)

Babajide Sanwo-Olu won with 762,134 votes, defeating Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party, who secured 312,329 votes.

25. Nasarawa State: Abdullahi Sule (APC)

Abdullahi Sule triumphed with 347,209 votes, defeating David Ombugadu of the PDP, who garnered 283,016 votes.

26. Niger State: Umar Bago (APC)

Umar Bago won with 469,896 votes, defeating Isah Liman Kantigi of the PDP, who garnered 387,476 votes.

27. Ogun State: Dapo Abiodun (APC)

Dapo Abiodun secured 276,298 votes, defeating Ladi Adebutu of the PDP, who garnered 262,383 votes.

28. Ondo State: Rotimi Akeredolu (APC)

Rotimi Akeredolu was re-elected in 2020 with 292,830 votes, defeating Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP, who secured 195,791 votes.

29. Osun State: Ademola Adeleke (PDP)

Ademola Adeleke triumphed in the 2022 off-cycle election with 403,371 votes, defeating Gboyega Oyetola of the APC, who garnered 375,027 votes.

30. Oyo State: Seyi Makinde (PDP)

Seyi Makinde won with 563,756 votes, defeating Teslim Folarin of the APC, who managed 256,685 votes.

31. Plateau State: Caleb Mutfwang (PDP)

Caleb Mutfwang emerged victorious with 525,299 votes, defeating Nentawe Yilwatda of the APC, who secured 481,370 votes.

32. Rivers State: Siminalayi Fubara (PDP)

Siminalayi Fubara secured 302,614 votes, defeating Tonye Cole of the APC, who garnered 95,274 votes.

33. Sokoto State: Ahmad Aliyu (APC)

Ahmad Aliyu triumphed with 453,661 votes, defeating Saidu Umar of the PDP, who managed 404,632 votes.

34. Taraba State: Agbu Kefas (PDP)

Agbu Kefas emerged victorious with 236,712 votes, defeating Emmanuel Bwacha of the APC, who garnered 223,304 votes.

35. Yobe State: Mai Mala Buni (APC)

Mai Mala Buni retained his position with 317,113 votes, defeating Shariff Abdullahi of the PDP, who secured 104,259 votes.

36. Zamfara State: Dauda Lawal (PDP)

Dauda Lawal won with 377,726 votes, defeating Bello Matawalle of the APC, who garnered 311,976 votes.

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List of elected governors in Nigeria