2023 Niger State gubernatorial election

The 2023 Niger State gubernatorial election will take place on 18 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Niger State, concurrent with elections to the Niger 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 APC Governor Abubakar Sani Bello is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term.

2023 Niger State gubernatorial election
← 2019 18 March 2023 2027 →
Registered2,698,344
 
PDP
Nominee Mohammed Umar Bago Isah Liman Kantigi
Party APC PDP
Running mate Yakubu Garba Samuel Gomna

Governor before election

Abubakar Sani Bello
APC

Elected Governor

Mohammed Umar Bago
APC

Party primaries were scheduled for between 4 April and 9 June 2022 with the All Progressives Congress nominating Mohammed Umar BagoHouse of Representatives member for Chanchaga—on 26 May while the Peoples Democratic Party nominated former commissioner Isah Liman Kantigi on the same day after its primary was postponed by 24 hours.[4][5]

Electoral system

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The governor of Niger 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

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Niger State is a large, diverse state in the North Central with agricultural and energy potential but facing a debilitated health sector and intense challenges in security as the nationwide kidnapping epidemic, bandit conflict, and herder–farmer clashes have all heavily affected the state with added fears of ISWAP encroachment.[6][7]

Politically, the state's 2019 elections were a solidification of the control of the state APC. In federal elections, Buhari retained the state presidentially while the APC swept all three senate seats and ten House of Representatives seats. On the state level, the party also held the governorship and kept the majority in the House of Assembly.

Ahead of his second term, Bello pledged to focus on education, increasing agricultural production, affordable housing, and improving access to clean drinking water.[8] In terms of his performance, Bello was praised for expanding the energy sector but was criticized for failing to combat rising insecurity, poor road infrastructure, a failure to pay teacher salaries and the ensuing educator strike, having a political opponent imprisoned, and his role in the March 2022 APC leadership crisis.[9][10][11][12]

Primary elections

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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.[2][13] An informal zoning gentlemen's agreement sets the Niger South Senatorial District to produce the next governor as someone from Niger South has not held the governorship since 2007. While only the PDP has closed their primaries to non-Southern candidates, nearly all potential candidates are from the South and it appears as if both major parties are holding to the zoning agreement.[14]

All Progressives Congress

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On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for gubernatorial primaries, 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. Forms were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May.[15] After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 16 May was the date for the screening appeal process.[16] Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for between 7 and 9 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 26 May, in concurrence with other APC gubernatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made the next day.[17][18][19][20]

In the days before the primary, controversy arose over the alleged manipulation of the delegate list for the primary.[21] By the primary date, the exercise was peacefully held in Minna and resulted in a 15% margin of victory for Mohammed Umar Bago, a House of Representatives member. In his acceptance speech, Bago thanked delegates while noting that the primary was only the beginning of the campaign.[4] On 4 July, the state APC announced Yakubu Garba—the state NLC chairman—as Bago's running mate in a press release.[22]

Nominated

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Eliminated in primary

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Declined

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Results

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Candidates' vote share

  Mohammed Umar Bago (52.07%)
  Sani Ndanusa (8.10%)
  Other candidates (2.61%)
APC primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
APC Mohammed Umar Bago 540 52.07%
APC Mohammed Idris Malagi 386 37.22%
APC Sani Ndanusa 84 8.10%
APC Ahmed Muhammad Ketso 17 1.64%
APC Mohammed Rufai 4 0.39%
APC Idris Usman Makanta 3 0.29%
APC Aliyu Idris Rugga 1 0.10%
APC Mohammed Kpoutagi 1 0.10%
APC Muhammed Nda 1 0.10%
APC Yahaya Kuta 0 0.00%
Total votes 1,037 100.00%
Invalid or blank votes 11 N/A
Turnout 1,048 76.50

People's Democratic Party

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In June 2020, Niger PDP then-Caretaker Committee Chairman Garba Umaru announced that the party had zoned their gubernatorial nomination to Niger South Senatorial District as a part of an internal party deal to cede the deputy gubernatorial slot to Niger East Senatorial District while Niger South would hold the party chairmanship until handing over to Niger North.[28] Zoning the PDP nomination to Niger South was reaffirmed in February 2022 by now-state party chairman Tanko Beji and other state party leaders.[29] By April 2022, the state party leadership also intended to use the consensus method for the nomination with a meeting resulting in Isah Liman Kantigi's emergence as the intended nominee but the plan fell through when some rival candidates rejected the arrangement and bought forms anyway.[30][31]

On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its gubernatorial primaries' schedule, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦1 million and the nomination form price at ₦20 million with a 50% discount for candidates between 25 and 30. Forms were to be sold until 1 April but the party later extended the deadline four times before reaching a final deadline of 22 April. After the submission of nomination forms by 25 April, candidates were screened by a party committee on 28 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary.[32] Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 25 May, in concurrence with all other PDP gubernatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made in the following days.[33][34]

On the primary date, four of the five candidates lead protests against the alleged manipulation of the delegate list in favour of Kantigi. The protests forced primary committee chairman Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo to postpone the primary until the next day.[35] On 26 May, the five candidates finally contested the indirect primary that ended with Kantigi emerging as the PDP nominee after results showed him winning over 80% of delegates' votes.[5][36] A few weeks later, Samuel Gomna was picked as the deputy gubernatorial nominee; it was noted that Gomna was a Christian making the ticket the first religiously diverse PDP ticket since 2007.[37] In November, a lawsuit from Mohammed Sani Idris Legbo Kutigi that challenged the primary results was dismissed.[38]

Nominated

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Eliminated in primary

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Withdrew

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Results

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Candidates' vote share

  Isah Liman Kantigi (82.86%)
  Other candidates (2.98%)
PDP primary results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
PDP Isah Liman Kantigi 667 82.86%
PDP Mohammed Sani Idris Legbo Kutigi 114 14.16%
PDP Abdullahi Isah Jankara 21 2.61%
PDP Abdulrahman Hassan Gimba 3 0.37%
PDP Sidi Abdul 0 0.00%
Total votes 805 100.00%
Invalid or blank votes 3 N/A
Turnout 808 Unknown

Minor parties

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Campaign

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After the primaries, the major party nominees—mostly Bago (APC)—spent months attempting to reconcile with aggrieved members of their own parties. Bago went on a reconciliatory tour around the state to meet party members; these APC reconciliation attempts occurred all while the PDP conversely tried to woo aggrieved APC members into the party. Analysts questioned the effectiveness of Bago's tour, especially amid other disputes within the state APC.[44] In early 2023, campaign analysis focused on the divides between urban-rural electorates with reports stating that Bago led in his native city of Minna while Kantigi led in Nupe-majority rural communities of the state's south.[45] But the campaign was derailed by controversy in mid-February, when a video surfaced showing Kantigi issuing death threats against voters who planned to take his bribes but not eventually vote for him.[46] Later in February, attention largely switched to the presidential election on 25 February. In the election, Niger State voted for Bola Tinubu (APC); Tinubu won 48.2% of the vote, beating the 36.6% of Atiku Abubakar (PDP) and the 10.3% of Peter Obi (LP). In the wake of the result, the EiE-SBM forecast projected Bago to win.[47]

Projections

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Source Projection As of
Africa Elects[a][48] Lean Bago 17 March 2023
Enough is Enough-
SBM Intelligence[b][47]
Bago 2 March 2023

Conduct

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Electoral timetable

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On 26 February 2022, the Independent National Electoral Commission released the timetable, setting out key dates and deadlines for the election.[49] Months later on 27 May 2022, INEC made a slight revision to the timetable, allowing parties extra time to conduct primaries.[50]

  • 28 February 2022 – Publication of Notice of Election
  • 4 April 2022 – First day for the conduct of party primaries
  • 9 June 2022[c] – Final day for the conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them
  • 1 July 2022 – First day for submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online portal
  • 15 July 2022 – Final day for submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online portal
  • 12 October 2022 – Commencement of the official campaign period
  • 16 March 2023[d] – Final day of the official campaign period

Pre-election

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Due to widespread insecurity in the state, civil society groups raised concern about the safe conduct of the election in heavily insecure areas.[53]

General election

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2023 Niger State gubernatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
A
AA
ADP
APP
AAC
ADC
APM
APC
APGA
BP
LP
New Nigeria Peoples Party
NRM
PDP
PRP
SDP
YPP
ZLP
Total votes 100.00%
Turnout

By senatorial district

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The results of the election by senatorial district.

Senatorial District Mohammed Umar Bago
APC
Isah Liman Kantigi
PDP
Others Total Valid Votes
Votes Percentage Votes Percentage Votes Percentage
Niger East Senatorial District[e] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Niger North Senatorial District[f] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Niger South Senatorial District[g] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Totals TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD

By federal constituency

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The results of the election by federal constituency.

Federal Constituency Mohammed Umar Bago
APC
Isah Liman Kantigi
PDP
Others Total Valid Votes
Votes Percentage Votes Percentage Votes Percentage
Agaie/Lapai Federal Constituency[h] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Agwara/Borgu Federal Constituency[i] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency[j] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Bosso/Paikoro Federal Constituency[k] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Chanchaga Federal Constituency[l] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Gurara/Suleja/Tafa Federal Constituency[m] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Kontagora/Wushishi/Mariga/Mashegu Federal Constituency[n] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency[o] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency[p] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Shiroro/Rafi/Munya Federal Constituency[q] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Totals TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD

By local government area

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The results of the election by local government area.

LGA Mohammed Umar Bago
APC
Isah Liman Kantigi
PDP
Others Total Valid Votes Turnout Percentage
Votes Percentage Votes Percentage Votes Percentage
Agaie TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Agwara TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Bida TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Borgu TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Bosso TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Chanchaga TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Edati TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Gbako TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Gurara TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Katcha TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Kontagora TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Lapai TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Lavun TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Magama TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Mariga TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Mashegu TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Mokwa TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Munya TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Paikoro TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Rafi TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Rijau TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Shiroro TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Suleja TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Tafa TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Wushishi TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Totals TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ AfricaElects projections predict the likelihood of a candidate winning a state by categorizing a state as "Safe" for exceedingly likely, "Likely" for somewhat likely, and "Lean" for least likely. If no clear determination could be made, states are categorized as "tossups".
  2. ^ EiE-SBM projections predict which candidates will win states.
  3. ^ The original deadline was 3 June; however, INEC pushed it back to 9 June at the behest of parties.[51]
  4. ^ The original deadline was 9 March; however, INEC pushed it back to 16 March.[52]
  5. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Bosso, Chanchaga, Munya, Paikoro, Rafi, Shiroro, Suleja, Tafa, and Gurara.
  6. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Agwara, Borgu, Kontagora, Magama, Mariga, Mashegu, Rijau, and Wushishi.
  7. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Agaie, Bida, Edati, Gbako, Katcha, Lapai, Lavun, and Mokwa.
  8. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Agaie and Lapai.
  9. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Agwara and Borgu.
  10. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Bida, Gbako, and Katcha.
  11. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Bosso and Paikoro.
  12. ^ Comprising the local government area of Chanchaga.
  13. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Gurara, Suleja, and Tafa.
  14. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Kontagora, Mashegu, Mariga, and Wushishi.
  15. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Edati, Lavun, and Mokwa.
  16. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Magama and Rijau.
  17. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Munya, Rafi, and Shiroro.

References

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  1. ^ Oyekanmi, Rotimi (26 February 2022). "It's Official: 2023 Presidential, National Assembly Elections to Hold Feb 25". INEC News. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b Jimoh, Abbas (26 February 2022). "INEC Sets New Dates For 2023 General Elections". Daily Trust. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  3. ^ Suleiman, Qosim. "It's Official: INEC postpones Saturday's governorship, state assembly elections". Premium Times. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Dipo, Laleye. "Bago Wins Niger State Deputy Governor, Clinches APC Guber Ticket". ThisDay. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Wakaso, Aisha. "Ex-commissioner wins Niger PDP governorship ticket". The Punch. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  6. ^ "Bandits Occupy 12 Of 25 Local Government Areas In Niger State, Governor Laments". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  7. ^ Olaniyi, Muideen. "Sani Bello: Niger Has Recorded 50 Attacks, Lost 220 Lives In January Alone". Daily Trust. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Listicle: 12 Things Gov Abubakar Sani Bello Said In His Speech". Daily Trust. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  9. ^ "NIGERIAN GOVERNORS: Fumbling, wobbling dominate June 2020 performance". Ripples Nigeria. Retrieved 28 April 2022. Niger State in North Central Nigeria is stuck between two evils; growing attacks by bandits and collapsed road infrastructures...We are worried that Governor Sani Bello seems unable to muster the necessary will power to address these twin evils, leaving the state largely without the needed presence of governance that addresses the immediate needs of the people.
  10. ^ Wakaso, Aisha. "Parents lament as Niger pupils stay home over teachers strike". The Punch. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  11. ^ Ogundipe, Samuel. "Critic of Niger governor sent to prison for 'intentional insult'". Premium Times. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  12. ^ "Ranking Nigerian Governors Feb/March 2022: APC Govs' dirty fight, Sanwo-Olu's BRT snag, Wike's uncouthness, Umahi's meltdown". Ripples Nigeria. Retrieved 28 April 2022. One of the damning moments in the months under review was the disgraceful faceoff between All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, namely Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, in their bid to wrestle the control of APC from the hands of the party's Caretaker Chairman and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni.
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  14. ^ Asishana, Justina. "Niger 2023: The race for guber tickets". The Nation. Retrieved 23 April 2022. In Niger state, the issue of zoning appears settled as the 2023 governorship slot has been zoned to Niger South senatorial district which has eight local government areas namely Agaie, Bida, Edati, Gbako, Katcha, Lapai, Lavun and Mokwa local government areas. Although the governorship seat has been zoned to these local governments, it was learnt that Gbako, Lavun, Edati and Gbako have been thumbed to provide the next Governor. Zoning remains sacrosanct in Niger state, reason why both the APC and PDP are not ready to overrule the rotation arrangement that have been in place and they are each sizing up every aspirant to know who would be the best candidate from the favoured zone.
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  19. ^ APC Nigeria [@OfficialAPCNg] (May 11, 2022). "NEW DATES" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 May 2022 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ APC Nigeria [@OfficialAPCNg] (May 18, 2022). "ADJUSTED TIMETABLE" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 May 2022 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ Asishana, Justina. "Uneasy calm in Niger APC over alleged tampered delegates list". The Nation. Minna. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  22. ^ a b Dennis, Priscilla. "Niger guber 2023: APC picks Garba as Bago's running mate". Daily Post. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  23. ^ Majeed, Bakare. "Malami, Tunde Bakare submit nomination forms". Premium Times. Retrieved 11 May 2022. In addition, Umar Bago, a member of the House of Representatives from Niger State, also submitted his governorship nomination form.
  24. ^ Ibrahim, Abubakar. "Niger 2023: Aspirant promises a better Niger State". National Daily Newspaper. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  25. ^ a b c "Niger 2023: Rotation governorship not constitutional – Gov. Sani Bello". Vanguard. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Asishana, Justina. "13 aspirants eyeing Niger Government House". The Nation. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  27. ^ Dipo, Laleye. "2023: Niger Deputy Gov, Ketso, Joins Guber Race". ThisDay. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  28. ^ Nnadozie, Chinwendu. "2023: Niger State PDP Announces Zoning Of Elective Positions". Independent Nigeria. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  29. ^ Dennis, Priscilla. "PDP assures its governship [sic] flag bearer will emerge from Niger South zone". Daily Post. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  30. ^ Adams, John. "Road to 2023: Niger PDP settles for consensus governorship candidate". The Sun. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  31. ^ Nmodu, Abu. "As PDP's Search For Consensus Candidate Hits A Brick Wall In Niger". Leadership. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  32. ^ Angbulu, Stephen (21 April 2022). "2023: PDP extends sale of forms for fourth time". The Punch. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  33. ^ Official PDP Nigeria [@OfficialPDPNig] (May 5, 2022). "2023 General Elections: @OfficialPDPNig updated Time Table and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 general elections. See below" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 May 2022 – via Twitter.
  34. ^ Ukaibe, Chibuzo. "2023: PDP Fixes New Date For Gov'ship Primaries". Leadership. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  35. ^ Wakaso, Aisha. "Protest mars Niger PDP governorship primary". The Punch. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  36. ^ "Isah Kantigi emerges PDP governorship candidate in Niger". TVC News. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  37. ^ a b Wakaso, Aisha. "Niger PDP unveils first Christian gov running mate in 16 years". The Punch. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  38. ^ Dennis, Priscilla. "Niger PDP: Court dismisses Sani Kutigi's suit against guber candidate Kantigi". Daily Post. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  39. ^ Nnadozie, Chinwendu. "2023: Former Commissioner Joins Niger Guber Race". Independent Nigeria. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  40. ^ Nmodu, Abu. "2023: Ex-sport Minister Joins Niger Gov'ship Race". Leadership. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  41. ^ Dipo, Laleye. "Drama As 2 Groups Attempt to Purchase Nomination Form for Niger PDP". ThisDay. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z "FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR STATE ELECTIONS - Governorship & Houses of Assembly" (PDF). Independent National Electoral Commission. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  43. ^ Dennis, Priscilla. "2023: Umar Larat Aliyu emerges YPP governorship candidate in Niger". Daily Post. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  44. ^ Nmodu, Abu. "Will APC's Consolidation Moves Be Enough In Niger?". Leadership. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  45. ^ Benjamin, Isaiah; Nmodu, Abu; Waheed, Adebayo; Enna, Godwin. "Urban, Rural Voters Renew Old Rivalries In Crucial Governorship Races". Leadership. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  46. ^ Folorunsho-Francis, Adebayo. "Niger gov candidate issues death threat to supporters in viral video". The Punch. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  47. ^ a b "The EiE-SBM 2023 Election forecast: Diminished interest in state elections will make for poor outcomes". SBM Intelligence. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  48. ^ Elimian, Adrian. "Nigerian Gubernatorial Elections: State Ratings". Africa Elects. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  49. ^ Jimoh, Abbas (26 February 2022). "INEC Sets New Dates For 2023 General Elections". Daily Trust. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  50. ^ "Schedule of Activities for 2023 General Election". ThisDay. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  51. ^ James, Dominic. "Primaries: INEC Grants Parties Six Extra Days, Timetable Remains Unchanged". INEC News. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  52. ^ Suleiman, Qosim. "It's Official: INEC postpones Saturday's governorship, state assembly elections". Premium Times. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  53. ^ Akhaine, Saxone; Ogugbuaja, Charles; Michael, Danjuma. "2023 Polls: How insecurity may affect outcomes in Kaduna, Imo, Katsina". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 September 2022.