LAGOS, March 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Nigerians go to the polls on Saturday for the second time in a fortnight for governorship and state assembly elections.
Elections for governors are being held in 29 of Nigeria’s 36 states, for
all state assemblies, plus the administrative councils in the Federal Capital
Territory of Abuja.
Polling stations open from 0700 GMT, with results expected from early next
week.
President Muhammadu Buhari will be expecting to consolidate his victory on Feb 23, when he won 19 states to secure a second, four-year term of
office.
His All Progressives Congress (APC) currently controls 22 states while the
main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 13. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has one.
Governors are powerful and influential figures in Nigeria’s federal
politics, controlling state finances, where they are responsible for key
areas including education to health.
They can also provide a strong collective voice in Abuja.
Among states being keenly watched include Lagos, in the southwest, where
APC candidate Babajide Sanwo-Olu is facing a strong challenge from the PDP’s Jimmy Agbaje.
Control of the commercial capital is a key prize given its sheer size and
role as the main driver of the country’s economy.
Kano, in the northwest, sees the APC governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje,
seeking a second term, despite being caught on camera apparently accepting large amounts of cash in bribes.
The scandal earned him the nickname “Gandollar” but is not seen as
affecting his chances unduly, given a fractured opposition.
Voting in the religiously mixed northwestern state of Kaduna is likely to
be along ethnic and religious lines, as APC governor Nasir El-Rufai is
running on an all-Muslim ticket.
Central Plateau, Taraba and Benue states, hit by renewewed violence between farmers and nomadic herders, will also be watched given dissatisfaction at Buhari’s response. — NNN-AGENCIES