Nigerians go to the polls again to elect the country’s influential state governors

Lagos, the commercial center of the country, the main battlefield in the closest elections in its recent history

March 18 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Nigerian population goes to the polls again this Saturday to elect the 28 of the 36 state governors of the country, less than a month after the chaotic presidential elections, in elections where the opposition seeks to consolidate the good result achieved in February and The government party, the Congress of All Progressives (CTP) seeks to strike a blow on the table after the weakness exhibited in the previous elections, knowing both of the extraordinary importance that local control of the Nigerian states represents.

The key to this Saturday’s electoral battle is in the state of Lagos, the commercial center of Nigeria and traditional stronghold of the government party and the country’s current president-elect, Bola Tinubu, who now faces an unprecedented threat represented by in the emerging Labor Party of Peter Obi — the third most voted candidate in the presidential elections and winner of the state elections — and his candidate for state governor, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

The second most voted party in February, the People’s Democratic Party, is also threatening Tinubu’s dominance in Lagos through its gubernatorial pick, Azeez ‘Jandor’ Olajide Adediran.

Both are aiming to defeat the current state governor and Tinubu elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is seeking a second term amid far more difficult prospects than four years ago, when the CTP was the country’s undisputed political force. . Now, analysts consulted by the Nigerian newspaper ‘Premium Times’ anticipate a tough battle not only in Lagos, but in the states of Oyo, Kano, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Delta and Rivers.

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOVERNORS

Nigerian governors enjoy extraordinary power in the country. They are responsible for local politics through a network of connections with tribal notables and religious communities, and their domain extends across territories as large as some African nations.

Nigerian governors, recall the experts from Radio France Internationale (RFI), also play a key role in political nominations, both locally and nationally; their support is even essential to become a traditional leader or president of Nigeria.

It should be remembered that, during the presidential elections, Atiku Abubakar, of the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) was betrayed by five governors of his party, responsible for the electoral failure of the candidate in their respective states.

Barring setbacks or judicial pronouncements, the winners of today’s gubernatorial race will take office on May 29.