Today, residents of Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa States are participating in off-cycle elections to select their next governors, encompassing the South East, South South, and North Central regions of Nigeria. In both Imo and Bayelsa, the current officeholders are vying for reelection, whereas Kogi State is poised to choose a new governor.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) seeks to maintain control in Kogi and Imo States, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is striving to retain power in Bayelsa. Bayelsa has traditionally been a PDP stronghold since 1999 and swiftly regained authority after a 2019 Supreme Court ruling reversed a temporary loss. Governor Douye Diri, running for a second term with the PDP, faces formidable opponents: former Governor Timipre Sylva of the APC and Udengs Eradiri of the Labour Party (LP).
In Kogi State, the electorate will decide on a new state leader as Governor Yahaya Bello completes his two constitutional terms. The APC candidate, Ododo Usman Ahmed, endorsed by the incumbent, is competing against Murtala Yakubu Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dino Melaye of the PDP, and Leke Abejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In Imo, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared 17 candidates for today’s gubernatorial election. The prominent contenders include Governor Uzodinma of the APC, Samuel Anyanwu of the PDP, and Athan Achonu of the Labour Party. DAILY POST will offer real-time updates on the situation in these states as events unfold.