2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2019 Rivers State gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2019
Next Election:2027 Rivers State gubernatorial election
Next Year:2027
Election Date:18 March 2023
Opinion Polls:2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election#Polling
Registered:3,537,190
Party1:All Progressives Congress
Party2:Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)
Image3: SDP
Party3:Social Democratic Party (Nigeria)
Map Size:220px
Governor
Before Election:Ezenwo Nyesom Wike
Before Party:Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)
After Election:Siminalayi Fubara
After Party:Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)

The 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election will take place on 18 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Rivers State, concurrent with elections to the Rivers State House of Assembly as well as twenty-seven other gubernatorial elections and elections to all other state houses of assembly.[1] [2] The election—which was postponed from its original 11 March date—will be held three weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections.[3] Incumbent PDP Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term.

Party primaries were scheduled for between 4 April and 9 June 2022 with the Peoples Democratic Party nominating former state Accountant-General Siminalayi Fubara on 25 May while the All Progressives Congress nominated businessman Tonye Cole on 26 May.[4] [5] On 25 October, a Federal High Court ruling nullified all Rivers APC primaries but the ruling was overturned by the Court of Appeal in January 2023.[6] [7]

Electoral system

The Governor of Rivers 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 state 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.

Background

Rivers State is a highly populated, diverse state in the South South with major oil and natural gas reserves along with industrial centres. Despite its vast oil revenues, the state has several major issues with pirates and illegal oil bunkering gangs in riverine areas while urban areas have overcrowding and intense environmental pollution.[8] [9] [10] [11]

Politically, the 2019 elections were a continuation of the state PDP's control as the state APC's inability to hold valid primaries led to its disqualification by a court. PDP presidential nominee Atiku Abubakar won the state by 50% and the party gained all three senate seats while also sweeping the House of Representatives elections. On the state level, the PDP also retained its House of Assembly majority and Wike won the gubernatorial election by a wide margin[12] [13]

Ahead of Wike's term, the aims for his second term were infrastructure, fiscal discipline, economic development, and unity.[14] In terms of his performance, Wike was commended for infrastructural development, healthcare improvements, investments in sport, and pushing against illegal oil bunkering.[15] [16] [17] However, his administration was criticized for its months-long delay in forming a cabinet, his unconstitutional declaration of Rivers as a "Christian state" and poor response to the demolition of a mosque, spending billions of naira to purchase luxury cars for lawmakers and judges, attempting to illegally ban protests during the height of the 2020 End SARS demonstrations, his perceived obsession with starting public disputes with other elected officials, the irregular payment of government salaries and pensions, and disrespecting traditional rulers.[18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] Wike also came over fire for his autocratic moves to crackdown on opposition by banning protests multiple times and most notably, when he had intraparty rival and House of Representatives member Farah Dagogo arrested and jailed for weeks to prevent him from running for governor.[26] [27] Another key source of controversy was his handling of the Oyigbo killings in November 2020, when Army personnel went on rampage attacks against Igbo young men in Oyigbo after five soldiers were killed by IPOB; Wike repeatedly denied any Army wrongdoing and justified the week-long military occupation of the area.[28] [29]

Primary elections

The primaries, along with any potential challenges to primary results, were to take place between 4 April and 3 June 2022 but the deadline was extended to 9 June.[30] Leaders in ethnic groups like the Ogoni called on parties to nominate a non-Ikwerre as Ikwerres have held the governorship since 2007.[31] Furthermore, despite making up a significant percentage of Rivers' population, no Ogoni person has ever held the governorship or deputy governorship, leading to calls for the formal zoning of party nominations to the Ogoni-majority Rivers South East Senatorial District. These calls, coupled with other claims that the governorship ought to rotate between upland and riverine areas, have led to pressure on parties to nominate someone from riverine areas or more specifically, Ogoni-majority areas.[32] However, no major party has yet closed their primaries to candidates from the other districts.[33] While neither major party formally zoned their nominations, both the APC and PDP nominated politicians from riverine areas.

All Progressives Congress

The long-running dispute between former governor and federal Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and former senator Magnus Abe which led to the Rivers APC's disqualification in 2019 continued ahead of the primary as their factions held separate party congresses and elected different leadership in 2021; national APC leadership later accepted the results of the Amaechi-supported congress as legitimate. As an extension of the party crisis, there were disputes in the Rivers APC over the prospect of zoning the gubernatorial nomination as Amaechi was in favor of zoning to the South East while Abe fought against making a formal zoning decision.[34] By April 2022, it was clear that the party rift had not been bridged as Amaechi and his allies met to select a "consensus party nominee," settling on Tonye Cole who would have been the APC nominee in 2019 if the party was not disqualified.[35] While some aspirants agreed to the arrangement and dropped out, Abe and his allies made it clear that they did not recognize Cole as the party's choice with an Abe-aligned politician deriding Cole as simply "a business associate of" Amaechi.[36] There were also protests from others within the party that decried the opaque process and the choice of Cole as he has never held elected office and supposedly lacks political structures in the state.[37] Despite the objections, the party confirmed Cole as its consensus pick; although the press release noted that since the meeting was not a formal party process, Cole was not formally the party nominee.[38] However, the party backing of Cole did not resolve the controversy as more candidates questioned the pick and its process.[39] [40] [41]

In the days before the primary, the party crisis deepened as Abe's camp rejected the ad hoc delegate congresses and protested at the state party secretariat.[42] On the primary date, Abe boycotted and preemptively rejected the primary’s proceedings before the indirect primary held and resulted in Cole emerging as the APC nominee after results showed Cole winning over 77% of the delegates' votes.[43] In his acceptance speech, Cole thanked delegates and Amaechi before asking Abe and others to unite the party. He would go onto select former MHA Innocent Barikor—an ethnic Ogoni from Gokana—as his running mate.[44] Despite the unifacation plea, Abe and two other former primary aspirants left the party in July.[45] [46] [47] Abe would go on to obtain the SDP gubernatorial nomination.[48] However, a lawsuit from Abe-supporting delegates who alleged that they were refused the ability to vote in primaries led to the annulment of the APC primary by a Federal High Court on 25 October. The Rivers APC protested the ruling, claiming that the court had no jurisdiction over an internal party matter. The Court of Appeal sided with the APC in January 2023, reinstating Cole as the nominee.

Nominated

Eliminated

Withdrew

Results

People's Democratic Party

Unlike the state APC, the Rivers PDP did not face much internal strife directly ahead of the party primary as Wike held direct control over much of the party. However, as the primary neared, struggles over the primary method and Wike's leadership style began to be unveiled from reports culminating in a large protest at the Rivers PDP secretariat on 13 April 2022.[54] [55] A backer of the protest and intraparty Wike opponent, House of Representatives member Farah Dagogo was running for governor until Wike accused Dagogo of sponsoring thugs to attack the party secretariat on 27 April and ordered the police to arrest him the day before PDP gubernatorial screening.[56] Dagogo, who had already bought and submitted forms to run in the primary, attempted to attend the mandatory party screening exercise on 28 April but was detained by police and held in jail indefinitely.[57] Dagogo's aides along with civil society groups decried the arrest as politically motivated and called for Dagogo's release but the PDP simply disqualified him from the primary due to 'non-attendance at screening.'[58] [59] [60]

In the days directly before the primary, reports emerged that Wike had settled on Siminalayi Fubara—the immediate past Accountant General of Rivers State—as his preferred candidate despite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declaring Fubara wanted for fraud on 24 May.[61] On the primary date, the candidates contested an indirect primary that ended with Fubara's nomination after results showed him winning over 81% of the delegates' votes; several other candidates did not attend the event.[62] In his acceptance speech, Fubara vowed to continue the work of the Wike administration. After the primary, it was noted that Fubara's riverine origin and Ijaw ethnicity were a move in favor of a power shift after Wike's governorship. However, Fubara still faced opposition from the EFCC as agents attempted to arrest him on 8 June and were stopped by Fubara's armed thugs.[63] Despite his status as a fugitive, Fubara commenced his campaign and selected Ngozi Odu—a former commissioner from Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni—as his running mate later in June.[64]

Nominated

Eliminated in primary

Disqualified by screening committee

Declined

Results

Minor parties

Campaign

Immediately after the primaries, analysts categorized the election as a proxy battle between outgoing governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (PDP) and former governor Rotimi Amaechi (APC) despite being the first Rivers State gubernatorial election since 2003 in which neither Wike nor Amaechi are candidates.[75] Fubara and Cole are both extensively connected to Wike and Amaechi, respectively, leading to the labeling of the general election as a continuation of the power struggle between the two. However, the emergence of Magnus Abe—a former senator who spent years feuding with Amaechi over control of the state APC—as the SDP nominee added even more uncertainty to the election. More important factors included Fubara's ongoing corruption case and Wike's feud with the national PDP over the aftermath of the presidential primary, which he lost in May 2022.[76] [77]

However, the race was massively shifted by a High Court ruling in October 2022 which annulled all Rivers APC primaries. The ruling was quickly compared to a similar ruling that disqualified the Rivers APC in 2019;[78] the party protested the judgement and vowed to contest the elections. The next month, on 7 November, the first public poll—conducted by NIO Polls and commissioned by the Anap Foundation—was released for the race with it showing a heavily fragmented field that Fubara led while Cole (who was included despite the court ruling) and Abe trailed in second and third, respectively.[79] As the election neared, Cole was reinstated as nominee by a Court of Appeal ruling in January 2023. The next month, a debate was conducted by the Rivers State Governorship Debate Group on 19 February; Abe, Cole, and LP nominee Beatrice Itubo attended while Fubara and Accord nominee Dumo Lulu-Briggs were absent.[80]

Later in February, focus switched to the nearing presidential election on 25 February. In the election, Rivers State voted for Bola Tinubu (APC) amid controversy; declared results showed Tinubu winning the state with 44.2% of the vote to defeat Peter Obi (LP) at 33.4% and Atiku Abubakar (PDP) at 16.9%. The election, riddled with irregularities and fraud accusations, led to renewed focus on the gubernatorial race as reports of Wike-directed electoral interference in favour of Tinubu led to concerns about similar efforts for Fubara. Analysts noted the high likelihood of voter apathy due to a sense that actual votes do not impact the announced results in wake of the widespread rigging reports from February along with fear of violence that had been targeted at opposition strongholds.[81] Other factors considered by pundits included the tense political atmosphere, bigotry against non-indigenes, and continuous attacks on opposition figures.[82] [83] [84]

Polling

Polling organisation/clientFieldwork
date
Sample
size
PDP SDPOthersUndecidedNone/No response/Refused
Cole
APC
Fubara
PDP
Abe
SDP
NIO Polls for Anap FoundationOctober 202250014%11%6%12%37%20%
NIO Polls for Anap FoundationFebruary 2023N/A10%20%11%11%23%25%

Projections

SourceProjectionAs of
[85] Likely Fubara17 March 2023
Enough is Enough-
Fubara2 March 2023

Conduct

Electoral timetable

General election

Results

By senatorial district

The results of the election by senatorial district.

Senatorial DistrictTonye Cole
APC
Siminalayi Fubara
PDP
Magnus Abe
SDP
OthersTotal Valid Votes
VotesPercentageVotesPercentageVotesPercentageVotesPercentage
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Rivers East Senatorial Districtbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBD
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Rivers South East Senatorial Districtbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBD
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Rivers West Senatorial Districtbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBD
Totals TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD

By federal constituency

The results of the election by federal constituency.

Federal ConstituencyTonye Cole
APC
Siminalayi Fubara
PDP
Magnus Abe
SDP
OthersTotal Valid Votes
VotesPercentageVotesPercentageVotesPercentageVotesPercentage
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Abua/Odua/Ahoada East Federal Constituencybgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBD
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Ahoada West/Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Federal Constituencybgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBD
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Akuku Toru/Asari Toru Federal Constituencybgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBD
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituencybgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBD
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Degema/Bonny Federal Constituencybgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBD
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Eleme/Oyigbo/Tai Federal Constituencybgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBD
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Etche/Omuma Federal Constituencybgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBD
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituencybgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBD
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Khana/Gokana Federal Constituencybgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBD
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Obio/Akpor Federal Constituencybgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBD
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Okrika/Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituencybgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBD
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Port Harcourt I Federal Constituency
and Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBDbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" TBD
Totals TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD

By local government area

The results of the election by local government area.[86]

LGATonye Cole
APC
Siminalayi Fubara
PDP
Magnus Abe
SDP
OthersTotal Valid VotesTurnout Percentage
VotesPercentageVotesPercentageVotesPercentageVotesPercentage
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Abua–Odualbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 5,738bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 9,763bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 463bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 712bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 16,676bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Ahoada Eastbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 2,650bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 14,408bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 2,077bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 903bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 20,038bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Ahoada Westbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 4,883bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 6,425bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 1,063bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 775bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 13,146bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Akuku-Torubgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 3,724bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 6,273bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 222bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 931bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 11,150bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Andonibgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 3,149bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 8,319bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 1185bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 618bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 13,271bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Asari-Torubgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 4,209bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 12,663bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 179bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 1,271bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 18,322bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Bonnybgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 3,285bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 8,032bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 559bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 1,571bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 13,447bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Degemabgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 3,107bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 4,437bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 579bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 1,006bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 9,129bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Elemebgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 2,662bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 8,414bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 2,251bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 920bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 14,247bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Emohuabgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 5,916bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 20,600bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 805bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 1,270bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 28,591bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Etchebgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 6,408bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 16,043bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 2,586bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 1,283bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 26,320bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Gokanabgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 7,410bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 17,455bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 13,840bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 755bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 39,467bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Ikwerrebgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 7,503bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 13,716bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 1,447bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 1,424bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 24,090bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Khanabgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 620bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 9,475bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 5,846bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 494bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 16,435bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Obio-Akporbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 7,361bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 45,065bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 3,056bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 10,083bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 65,565bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Ogba–Egbema–Ndonibgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 6,811bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 17,729bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 3,450bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 3,391bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 31381bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Ogu–Bolobgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 1,524bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 7,103bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 310bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 528bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 9,155bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Okrikabgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 2,719bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 10,342bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 822bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 1,719bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 15,093bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Omumabgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 2,127bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 8,760bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 804bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 234bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 11925bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Opobo–Nkorobgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 1,246bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 11,538bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 159bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 246bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 13,189bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Oyigbobgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 2,793bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 9,886bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 796bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 3,086bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 16,561bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Port Harcourtbgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 8.954bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 26,892bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 3,974bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 6,689bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 46,509bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" Taibgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 295bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 9,276bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 508bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 148bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" 10,227 bgcolor=#c4b5bb align="center" %
Totals TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Oyekanmi . Rotimi . It's Official: 2023 Presidential, National Assembly Elections to Hold Feb 25. INEC News . 27 February 2022 . 26 February 2022.
  2. Web site: Jimoh . Abbas . INEC Sets New Dates For 2023 General Elections . . 26 February 2022 . 26 February 2022.
  3. Web site: Suleiman . Qosim . It's Official: INEC postpones Saturday's governorship, state assembly elections . . 9 March 2023 . 15 March 2023.
  4. Web site: Ibunge . Blessing . Rivers Accountant General, Fubara, Wins PDP Governorship Primary . . 13 June 2022 . Port Harcourt.
  5. Web site: Tonye Cole wins Rivers APC governorship ticket . . 27 May 2022 . . 13 June 2022.
  6. Web site: Sanusi . Abiodun . Naku . Dennis . JUST IN: Court nullifies APC primaries in Rivers . . 25 October 2022 . 26 October 2022.
  7. Web site: Naku . Dennis . Court nullifies suit against Rivers APC gov candidate . . 20 January 2023 . 20 February 2023.
  8. Web site: Igonikon . Karina . Maritime workers protest sea pirates attacks for Rivers State . . 21 May 2022 . . pcm . 4 November 2019.
  9. Web site: Onukwue . Alexander . Nigeria's illegal oil refineries keep killing people . . 25 April 2022 . 16 May 2022.
  10. Web site: Naku . Dennis . Security agencies fully involved in illegal bunkering – Wike . . 12 March 2022 . 21 May 2022.
  11. Web site: Igonikon . Karina . Soot in Port Harcourt: Wetin don hapun afta Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike declare war against kpo fire operators? . . 21 May 2022 . . pcm . 2 February 2022.
  12. Web site: Agbajileke . Owede . 2019-04-04 . Updated: At last, Wike wins with 886,264 votes in Rivers' long-drawn guber election . 2023-06-27 . Businessday NG . en-US.
  13. Web site: Apr 3, 2019 . Gov. Wike wins Rivers election . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627165157/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/323863-gov-wike-wins-rivers-election.html?tztc=1 . June 27, 2023 . 2023-06-27 . www.premiumtimesng.com.
  14. Web site: Wike takes oath of office for second term as Rivers governor . . 29 May 2019 . . 21 May 2022.
  15. Web site: Faminu . Gbemi . Wike intensifies infrastructure development with construction of 10th flyover . . 21 March 2022 . 21 May 2022.
  16. Web site: Nsirim . Paulinus . Governor Wike's six years of purposeful leadership . . 29 May 2021 . 21 May 2022.
  17. Web site: Nsirim . Paulinus . Wike's pragmatic offensive against illegal bunkering . . 21 May 2022.
  18. Web site: Ranking Nigerian Governors, November, 2019: Top 5, Bottom 5 . . 2 December 2019 . 21 May 2022 . Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State makes his first appearance on the ranking chart at the bottom, and the reasons are not far fetched. While we accord him some recognition for a few positive things attributed to his administration, especially in the area of infrastructure development, we find it awkward that six months after being sworn-in for a second term in office, he had given no heed to calls to perform the constitutional task of establishing a cabinet..
  19. Web site: Adebulu . Taiwo . 'Analogue governor' — MURIC tackles Wike for declaring Rivers a Christian state . . 27 June 2019 . 21 May 2022.
  20. Web site: RANKING NIGERIAN GOVERNORS, AUGUST, 2019: Top 5, Bottom 5 . . 2 September 2019 . 21 May 2022 . Governor Nyesom Wike is a man used to controversies. In fact, he has been accused of relishing in such without minding who is bitter or hurt by his actions. However, the alleged demolition of a mosque in the state by his administration may be love for controversy taken too far. Despite allegations by the owners of the mosque that the demolition took place despite evidence of government approved plan, Governor Wike, in his characteristic manner, chose to down play the demolition, insisting no mosque was demolished in the state..
  21. Web site: Kevin-Alerechi . Elfredah . Rivers residents groan as Wike spends N3.4 billion on luxury cars for judges, politicians . . 14 October 2020 . 21 May 2022.
  22. Web site: Nigerians React As Gov Wike Bans #EndSARS Protest In Rivers . The Heritage Times . 13 October 2020 . 21 May 2022.
  23. Web site: Ranking Nigerian Governors Feb/March 2022: APC Govs' dirty fight, Sanwo-Olu's BRT snag, Wike's uncouthness, Umahi's meltdown . . 28 March 2022 . 21 May 2022 . Though we acknowledge Wike’s reported passion for his party and other issues, we, however, frown at his constant ranting and hurling of insults, and issuing of threats against his opponents— in their ever-increasing number and classification. We believe Governor Wike will do well for himself in taking one or two lessons in diplomacy, civility in public communication and the gentlemanly requirement for public office holders..
  24. Web site: Opara . George . 2023: Wike pushes for presidency amidst opposition from home turf . . 21 May 2022 . 21 May 2022.
  25. Web site: Oyebade . Wole . Wike's disrespect for ancient stool and the victims . . 12 February 2020 . 21 May 2022.
  26. Web site: Naku . Dennis . 2022-04-28 . Police arrest federal lawmaker on Wike's order . 2023-06-27 . Punch Newspapers . en-US.
  27. Web site: Apr 28, 2022 . Police execute Wike's order, arrest PDP governorship aspirant . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627165453/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/526661-police-execute-wikes-order-arrest-pdp-governorship-aspirant.html?tztc=1 . June 27, 2023 . 2023-06-27 . www.premiumtimesng.com.
  28. Web site: Adebayo . Taiwo-Hassan . investigation: Inside the horrific bloodshed and massive extrajudicial killings in Nigeria's Oyigbo community . . 23 November 2020 . 21 May 2022.
  29. Web site: Princewill . Nimi . Kevin-Alerechi . Elfredah . Oyigbo Killings: Nigerian soldiers on reprisal attacks against IPOB elements: Wike . . 2 November 2020 . 21 May 2022.
  30. Web site: James . Dominic . Primaries: INEC Grants Parties Six Extra Days, Timetable Remains Unchanged . INEC News . 27 May 2022 . 28 May 2022.
  31. Web site: Naku . Dennis . 2023: Rivers monarch makes case for Ogoni gov . . March 2022 . 18 April 2022.
  32. Web site: Edozie . Victor . Rivers Gov'ship: 23 Eye Brick House . . 16 April 2022 . 16 April 2022 . While some pundits say zoning is dead in Rivers State, others insist that the upland/riverine rotation is the only option on who occupies Brick House. The upland/riverine dichotomy had been an unwritten agreement between the upland and riverine parts of Rivers where the governorship position rotates between the two areas...The riverine communities of Rivers State are of the opinion that the next governor should come from there. A coalition of over 40 Community Based Organisations (CBOs) which goes by the name Rivers Unity Alliance (RUA) in collaboration with the South-South chiefs, elders and opinion leaders, recently launched its quest for the emergence of a governor of riverine extraction in Rivers State in 2023..
  33. Web site: Godwin . Ann . Search for Wike's successor roils Rivers as Ogoni eyes 2023 . The Guardian . 31 May 2021 . 2 August 2021.
  34. Web site: Odufowokan . 'Dare . Rivers 2023: Amaechi, Abe renew battle for soul of APC . The Nation . 25 November 2021.
  35. Web site: Naku . Dennis . 2023: Rivers APC picks Lagos-based bizman Tony Cole gov candidate . . 23 April 2022 . 24 April 2022.
  36. Web site: Godwin . Ann . Controversy as Rivers APC endorses Cole as governorship candidate . . 23 April 2022 . 24 April 2022.
  37. Web site: Odiegwu . Mike . Cole: Can APC bounce back in Rivers? . . 27 April 2022.
  38. Web site: Odunsi . Wale . Rivers guber: APC confirms Tonye Cole as consensus aspirant . . 26 April 2022 . 26 April 2022.
  39. Web site: Chukwu . Ignatius . Rumbles in Rivers APC's stomach over riverine consensus guber flag-bearer . . 5 May 2022 . 6 May 2022.
  40. Web site: Alike . Ejiofor . Rivers APC Reopens Old Wounds . . 6 May 2022.
  41. Web site: Okonkwo . Amaechi . Who Will Save Rivers APC? . . 4 May 2022 . 6 May 2022.
  42. Web site: Folorunsho-Francis . Adebayo . Naku . Dennis . Charles . John . Muntari . Tukur . Wakaso . Aisha . Salman . Animashun . Governorship primary: Tough battles in Oyo, Sokoto, Rivers' APC as 44,045 delegates elect candidates . . 19 May 2022 . 19 May 2022.
  43. Web site: Rivers APC guber primary charade; I won't accept results: Abe . . 27 May 2022 . . 13 June 2022.
  44. Web site: 2023: Rivers APC Picks Barikor As Running Mate to Cole . FlashPoint Newspaper . 28 June 2022 . 13 August 2022.
  45. Web site: Godwin . Ann . After much ado, Abe finally dumps APC, may join SDP . . 21 July 2022 . 21 July 2022.
  46. Web site: Naku . Dennis . Ex-Amaechi commissioner dumps APC in Rivers . . 8 July 2022 . 21 July 2022.
  47. Web site: Shibayan . Dyepkazah . 'I can't defend it' — Tonye Princewill, Amaechi's ally, resigns from APC over Muslim-Muslim ticket . . 12 July 2022 . 21 July 2022.
  48. Web site: Naku . Dennis . Magnus Abe emerges Rivers SDP gov candidate . . 30 July 2022 . 3 August 2022.
  49. Web site: Naku . Dennis . 2023: Ex-lawmaker Magnus Abe joins Rivers gov race . . 17 April 2022 . 18 April 2022.
  50. Web site: Naku . Dennis . Rivers 2023: Abe shuns consensus arrangement, buys APC gov form . . 3 May 2022 . 6 May 2022.
  51. Web site: Ugwu . Romanus . Rivers 2023: Mikko rejects consensus option, picks nomination forms . . 28 April 2022 . . 27 April 2022.
  52. Web site: Nwisi . Rosemary . Dakuku, Cole, Princewill, George, six others join Rivers APC gov race . . 11 April 2022 . 12 April 2022.
  53. Web site: Itua . Fred . Rivers APC guber consensus: Tonye Princewill concedes, backs Cole . . 23 April 2022 . 24 April 2022.
  54. Web site: Odiegwu . Mike . Wike and politics of succession in Rivers PDP . . 27 April 2022.
  55. Web site: Godwin . Ann . Nwaoku . Obinna . 2023: Intrigues, emerging issues within Rivers PDP . . 28 April 2022 . . 28 April 2022.
  56. Web site: Imukudo . Saviour . Gov Wike declares PDP governorship aspirant wanted . . 28 April 2022 . 3 May 2022.
  57. Web site: Godwin . Ann . Nwaoku . Obinna . Osahon . Julius . Police arrest guber aspirant, Dagogo, despite protest by Ijaw youths . . 29 April 2022 . 3 May 2022.
  58. Web site: Naku . Dennis . Wike preparing murder, other charges against PDP Rivers gov aspirant, aide alleges . . 2 May 2022 . 3 May 2022.
  59. SERAP . SERAPNigeria . 1520428431246307338 . Breaking: We condemn the arbitrary arrest of Mr Farah Dagogo reportedly on the orders of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, for exercising his rights. Mr Dagogo must be immediately and unconditionally released. We'll hold Mr Wike to account if Dagogo is not immediately released . 3 May 2022. https://twitter.com/SERAPNigeria/status/1520428431246307338.
  60. Web site: Okonkwo . Amaechi . 16 Governorship Aspirants Scale PDP Screening In Rivers . . May 2022 . 8 May 2022.
  61. Web site: Sanusi . Abiodun . EFCC declares Rivers Accountant-General, others wanted for N435bn fraud . . 24 May 2022 . 13 June 2022.
  62. Web site: Imukudo . Saviour . Despite being declared wanted by EFCC, former Accountant-General wins Rivers PDP gov primary . . 26 May 2022 . 13 June 2022.
  63. Web site: Edozie . Victor . Thugs Foil EFCC's Arrest Of Rivers PDP Governorship Candidate . . 9 June 2022 . 13 June 2022.
  64. Web site: NGOZI ODU IS RIVERS PDP DEPUTY GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE . FlashPoint Newspaper . 22 June 2022 . 13 August 2022.
  65. Web site: Naku . Dennis . Wike's aides resign, 13 aspirants jostle for PDP ticket . . 13 April 2022 . 14 April 2022.
  66. Web site: Odiegwu . Mike . Rivers SSG joins 2023 governorship race . . 12 April 2022.
  67. Web site: Odiegwu . Mike . Cracks as Rivers PDP mulls consensus governorship candidate . . 6 April 2022.
  68. Web site: FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR STATE ELECTIONS - Governorship & Houses of Assembly . . 6 October 2022.
  69. Web site: Naku . Dennis . Ex-lawmaker emerges Rivers Action Alliance gov candidate . . 10 August 2022 . 10 August 2022.
  70. Web site: Imukudo . Saviour . Tonto Dikeh emerges running mate to Rivers ADC governorship candidate . . 3 August 2022.
  71. Web site: Chinedu . Clement . NLC Chairman, Itubo emerges governorship candidate of Labour Party in Rivers . . 10 June 2022 . 30 August 2022.
  72. Web site: Chinedu . Clement . Labour Party unveils Barikpoa as guber running mate in Rivers . . 15 August 2022 . 30 August 2022.
  73. Web site: AMENDMENT 4 GOVERNORSHIP . . 19 February 2023.
  74. Web site: Okonkwo . Amaechi . Rivers SDP Governorship Candidate, Abe Unveils Female Running Mate, Ogbonnaya . . 24 September 2022 . 9 October 2022.
  75. Web site: Onuh . Chioma . After presidential primaries crash out: Wike, Amaechi return to PH for fiercer battle . . 13 June 2022 . 8 September 2022.
  76. Web site: Tanko . Ibrahim Gaddafi . #RoadTo2023: Can Governor Wike and his anointed break the Rivers political jinx? . OrderPaper Nigeria . 7 September 2022.
  77. Web site: Shuaibu . Muawiya . 2023: Major Highlights Of Atiku-Wike Crisis . . 29 August 2022 . 8 September 2022.
  78. Web site: Igonikan . Karina . Wetin happun to APC Rivers state for 2019 fit repeat imsef for 2023? . . 27 October 2022 . 27 October 2022 . pcm.
  79. Web site: PDP's Siminalayi Fubara has a narrow lead in a Severely Fragmented Race . ANAP Foundation . 8 November 2022.
  80. Web site: 2023 polls: Rivers PDP guber candidate, Sim Fubara shuns debate . . 20 February 2023 . 20 February 2023.
  81. Web site: Godwin . Ann . How presidential poll may affect guber election in Rivers . . 16 March 2023 . 19 March 2023.
  82. Web site: Edozie . Victor . Rivers Gov'ship: Wike, Amaechi Battle For PDP, APC Candidates . . 13 March 2023 . 19 March 2023.
  83. Web site: Kogbara . Donu . Nigeria: Governor Wike is splashing cash to win his state . . 19 March 2023.
  84. Web site: Godwin . Ann . Nwaoku . Obinna . Hoodlums attack residences of APC, PDP chieftains in Rivers . . 25 February 2023 . 19 March 2023.
  85. Web site: Elimian . Adrian . Nigerian Gubernatorial Elections: State Ratings . . 17 March 2023.
  86. Web site: Times . Premium . 2023-03-20 . PDP's Fubara wins Rivers governorship election . 2023-04-21 . Premium Times Nigeria . en-GB.