Buhari party tipped to build on presidential race win
What you need to know:
- The PDP currently has 21 governors while the APC has 14.
- Some 760 candidates are in the running for the 29 governor and deputy governor positions
LAGOS, Saturday
Nigerians were on Saturday voting to choose new state governors and local assemblies, with the main opposition party tipped to build on its victory in the presidential race.
Some 760 candidates are in the running for the 29 governor and deputy governor positions, while 5,290 hopefuls are seeking to win local assembly seats in all 36 of Nigeria’s states.
The main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is expected to benefit from Muhammadu Buhari's presidential win against incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
MAJORITY
The PDP currently has 21 governors while the APC has 14.
“The still-ruling PDP will likely lose its majority of the governorships, partly from the bandwagon effect, incumbency fatigue and the APC’s momentum in regions like the southwest and Middle Belt,” the Eurasia Group said in a briefing note on Friday.
Governors are increasingly influential figures in Nigeria’s federal system of government, exercising near-total control over their states, including finances and projects.
Polling stations opened at 8 am, with mixed reports of election officials having arrived early and swift accreditation to the non-arrival of volunteers and materials.
Results of the gubernatorial and state assembly votes are expected to start coming in from Sunday, with winners announced in the individual states.
