2023_Bayelsa_State_gubernatorial_election

2023 Bayelsa State gubernatorial election

2023 Bayelsa State gubernatorial election

State election in Nigeria

The 2023 Bayelsa State gubernatorial election took place on 11 November 2023 to elect the Governor of Bayelsa State.[1] Incumbent PDP Governor Douye Diri won reelection. The primaries were scheduled for between 27 March and 17 April 2022.

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Electoral system

The Governor of Bayelsa State is elected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two-thirds of local government areas. If no candidate passes this threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government areas.[2]

Background

Bayelsa State is a small state in the South South mainly populated by Ijaw peoples; although its oil reserves make it one of the most resource-rich states in the nation, Bayelsa has faced challenges in security and environmental degradation in large part due to years of systemic corruption and illegal oil bunkering.

Politically, the state's early 2019 elections were categorized as the continuation of the PDP's dominance albeit with the APC making considerable gains by gaining one senate and two House of Representatives seats. The APC also gained ground in the assembly election and Bayelsa also was the state that swung the most towards Buhari in the presidential election, although that could be chalked up to former Governor Goodluck Jonathan no longer being PDP nominee. Later in 2019, the swing towards the APC dramatically increased as its gubernatorial nominee David Lyon won by a large margin but Diri was declared victor after Lyon was disqualified before the inauguration. Ensuing senate by-elections in 2020 were then easily won by the PDP, cementing the state's potentially erratic voting record.

During its term, the Diri administration's stated focuses included economic diversification, agricultural development, and the completion of the Bayelsa International Airport. In terms of his performance, Diri was commended for the completion of the airport and the Nembe Unity Bridge while being criticized for forcing his way past airport security checkpoints in August 2021 and praising former military dictator Sani Abacha.[3][4][5][6]

Primary elections

The primaries, along with any potential challenges to primary results, will take place between 27 March and 17 April 2022.[1]

All Progressives Congress

In February 2022, the national APC announced its gubernatorial primaries' schedule, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦10 million and nomination form price at ₦40 million with a 50% nomination form discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Both primary forms were sold from 14 to 22 February 2023. The form submission deadline was set for 22 February while candidates would be screened between 24 and 26 February. Ward congresses were set for 8 April in Bayelsa and Imo states to elect delegates for the primary while the Kogi congresses had been held on 8 February. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 10 April, in concurrence with the other APC gubernatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 12 April.[7]

Purchased forms

Potential

  • Peremobowei Ebebi: 2020 Bayelsa West senatorial by-election nominee and former Deputy Governor[8]
  • Heineken Lokpobiri: former Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development (2015–2019) and former Senator for Bayelsa West (2007–2015)[8]

People's Democratic Party

On 1 December 2022, the national PDP announced its gubernatorial primaries' schedule. Both primary forms—the expression of interest and nomination forms—were sold from 16 to 31 January 2023, aside from Kogi State where the deadline was later extended to 13 February. Similarly, all form submission deadlines were pushed back from 13 February to 1 March. Ward congresses were set for 28-29 March and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 8 April to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 14-15 May, in concurrence with all other PDP gubernatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made in the following days.[11]

Cleared by screening committee

Declined

Conduct

Electoral timetable

On 25 October 2022, the Independent National Electoral Commission released the timetable, setting out key dates and deadlines for the election.[14][15]

  • 14 November 2022 – Publication of Notice of Election
  • 27 March 2023 – First day for the conduct of party primaries
  • 17 April 2023 – Final day for the conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them
  • 24 April 2023 – First day for submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online portal
  • 5 May 2023 – Final day for submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online portal
  • 9 June 2023 – Publication of final nominee list
  • 14 June 2023 – Commencement of the official campaign period
  • 9 November 2023 – Final day of the official campaign period

General election

Results

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By senatorial district

The results of the election by senatorial district.

More information Senatorial District, TBD APC ...

By federal constituency

The results of the election by federal constituency.

More information Federal Constituency, TBD APC ...

By local government area

The results of the election by local government area.

More information LGA, TBD APC ...

Notes

  1. Comprising the local government areas of Kolokuma/Opokuma, Southern Ijaw, and Yenagoa.
  2. Comprising the local government areas of Brass, Ogbia, and Nembe.
  3. Comprising the local government areas of Ekeremor and Sagbama.
  4. Comprising the local government areas of Brass and Nembe.
  5. Comprising the local government area of Ogbia.
  6. Comprising the local government areas of Ekeremor and Sagbama.
  7. Comprising the local government areas of Southern Ijaw.
  8. Comprising the local government areas of Kolokuma/Opokuma and Yenagoa.

References

  1. [1]
    Adenekan, Samson. "INEC releases date for Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi off-cycle governorship elections". Premium Times. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  2. [2]
    Mboho, Justina (2023-03-17). "Here's what the law says about gubernatorial elections in Nigeria". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2024-04-26. A candidate's contesting election to governorship positions shall be deemed to have been duly elected where he has the highest number of votes cast and not less than one-quarter of all the votes cast in each of at least two-thirds of all the local government areas in the state.
  3. [3]
    James, Akam (11 August 2021). "Jubilation as first commercial flight lands at Bayelsa Airport". Daily Post. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  4. [4]
    "Bayelsa: Royal father praises Gov. Diri for completing Nembe 'unity bridge'". Peoples Gazette. News Agency of Nigeria. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  5. [5]
    ""The Bags Belong To The Governor"—Power-Drunk Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, Aides Breach Airport Security Procedure, Refuse To Be Screened To Board Flight". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  6. [6]
    "Ex-Military Dictator, Abacha Remains Our Hero In Bayelsa – Governor Diri". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  7. [7]
    APC Nigeria [@OfficialAPCNg] (February 17, 2023). "APC RELEASES TIMETABLE AND SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES FOR 2023 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS IN IMO, KOGI AND BAYELSA STATES" (Tweet). Retrieved 17 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  8. [8]
    "Bayelsa 2023 guber polls: Ebebi jettisons Sylva's rotational formula, declares interest". Vanguard. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  9. [9]
    Agba, George (18 February 2023). "Bayelsa Guber: Lyon Picks APC Forms, Supporters Seek Right Of First Refusal". Leadership. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  10. [10]
    "JUST IN: Timipre Sylva joins race for Bayelsa gov seat". The Punch. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  11. [11]
    Odunsi, Wale (10 February 2023). "PDP postpones screening date for Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi governorship aspirants". Daily Post. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  12. [12]
    Folaranmi, Femi (8 February 2023). "Bayelsa guber: Diri picks nomination form for re-election". The Sun. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  13. [13]
    Igoni, Daniels (21 March 2023). "PDP clears Diri for Bayelsa gov poll". The Punch. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  14. [14]
    Adenekan, Samson. "INEC releases date for Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi off-cycle governorship elections". Premium Times. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  15. [15]
    INEC Nigeria [@inecnigeria] (October 25, 2022). "Release of Timetable and Schedule of Activities for Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi Governorship Elections" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 October 2022 – via Twitter.
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