The upcoming gubernatorial elections in Nigeria are now unpredictable, causing panic among some governors seeking re-election or hoping to position their preferred successors. The opposition, particularly the Labour Party (LP), surprised many in the recent presidential and National Assembly elections, beating sitting governors and experienced politicians who aspired to be part of the National Assembly. The LP’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, joined the party eight months before the election. Still, his popularity helped the LP win twelve states, including Lagos, an All Progressives Congress stronghold. As a result, about twelve governors lost their states to opposition parties, including the LP.
The LP’s success in the presidential and National Assembly elections has created fear and anxiety among some governors, increasing the likelihood that they may not get a second term or produce their successors. In Enugu, where the LP won seven of the eight seats in the House of Representatives and one of the three in the Senate, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi lost his seat to the LP candidate, Okey Ezea, in the contest for the Enugu North senatorial district.
In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is seeking a second term, but his victory in the presidential election was less than he expected. The LP’s Peter Obi defeated the president-elect, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos, and the LP won four seats in the National Assembly.
The LP’s success in the presidential and National Assembly elections has put some State governors in a panic mode ahead of the March 11 gubernatorial election. Should the trend continue, some governors may not get a second term or produce their successors.
