Wikipedia

2023 Yobe State gubernatorial election

The 2023 Yobe State gubernatorial election took place on 18 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Yobe State, concurrent with elections to the Yobe 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—was held three weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections.[3] Incumbent APC Governor Mai Mala Buni won re-election to a second term.

2023 Yobe State gubernatorial election
← 2019 18 March 2023 2027 →
Registered1,485,146
 
Nominee Mai Mala Buni Sharif Abdullahi
Party APC PDP
Running mate Idi Barde Gubana Abubakar Bashir Sadiq
Governor before election

Mai Mala Buni
APC

Elected Governor

Mai Mala Buni
APC

The primaries, scheduled for between 4 April and 9 June 2022, resulted in Buni being renominated by the All Progressives Congress unopposed on 26 May while the Peoples Democratic Party nominated Sharif Abdullahi—former Bade Local Government Chairman—on 25 May.[4][5]

Electoral system

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The Governor of Yobe 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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Yobe State is a large, diverse northeastern state in the process of recovering from the worst of the Boko Haram insurgency. Still facing threats from Boko Haram and ISWAP, the state also has to contend with an underdeveloped yet vital agricultural sector, desertification, and low education rates.

Politically, the 2019 elections confirmed Yobe's status as one of the most staunchly APC states in the nation as both Buhari and Buni won the state by wide margins and every single legislative seat on the senatorial, house of representatives, and house of assembly levels were carried by APC nominees.

Over the course of Buni's term, his administration stated focuses included rebuilding the state's educational system, timely payment of civil servant salaries, and upgrading and repairing transportation infrastructure.[6][7] However, Buni's political situation changed about 13 months into his term when he was appointed National Caretaker Chairman of All Progressives Congress; choosing to serve in the Abuja-based position while continuing as governor was controversial, even more so after he admitted to spending only "three or four days in Yobe" every month.[8] Questioned by the PDP over the constitutionality of holding the second job, Buni remained at the helm of the APC until the party's March 2022 convention. After leaving office, analysts questioned if Buni could successfully return to his state after withdrawing to Abuja for nearly two years and, supposedly, lobbying to become the party's vice presidential nominee instead of returning to the governorship.[9]

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][10]

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.[11] 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.[12] 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.[13][14][15][16]

On the primary date, Buni was the sole candidate and won the nomination unopposed. In his acceptance speech, Buni thanked the party while pledging to continue the work of his administration.[4]

Nominated

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  • Mai Mala Buni: Governor (2019–present) and APC Caretaker National Chairman (2020–present)[4]

Declined

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  • Mohammed Hassan: former Senator for Yobe South (2015–2019)

Results

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APC primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
APC Mai Mala Buni 805 100.00%
Total votes 805 100.00%
Invalid or blank votes 20 N/A
Turnout 825 92.70%

People's Democratic Party

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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.[17] 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.[18][19]

On primary day, three candidates contested an indirect primary at the August 27th Stadium in Damaturu that ended with Sharif Abdullahi emerging as the PDP nominee after results showed him winning about 55% of the delegates' votes.[5]

Nominated

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Eliminated in primary

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  • Ali Adamu Tikau[5]
  • Abba Gana Tata: state PDP chairman[20][5]

Declined

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Results

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Candidates' vote share

  Sharif Abdullahi (55.35%)
  Ali Adamu Tikau (24.20%)
  Abba Gana Tata (20.45%)
PDP primary results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
PDP Sharif Abdullahi 295 55.35%
PDP Ali Adamu Tikau 129 24.20%
PDP Abba Gana Tata 109 20.45%
Total votes 533 100.00%
Invalid or blank votes 6 N/A
Turnout 539 97.82%

Minor parties

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Campaign

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In the months after the primaries, analysts noted the relative weakness of the PDP in Yobe along with several major defections from the party as reasons it would be difficult to challenge the strong APC hold on the state. However, the PDP claimed Abdullahi had mass grassroots support and would shock the APC while the APC used infrastructural projects as evidence of Buni's impact during his term in office.[22]

By 2023, attention largely switched to the presidential election on 25 February. In the election, Yobe State voted for Atiku Abubakar (PDP); Abubakar won 52.5% of the vote, beating Bola Tinubu (APC) at 40.0%. The result—which was labeled as an upset as projections had favored Tinubu—led to increased attention on the gubernatorial race and its potential competitiveness. Gubernatorial campaign analysis from after the presidential election noted that PDP had gained momentum from the presidential results while a surprised APC was renewing campaign efforts.[23] Nevertheless, the EiE-SBM forecast projected Buni to win while a Vanguard piece predicted that Buni was favoured but "may need to work harder for re-election."[24][25]

Projections

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Source Projection As of
Africa Elects[a][26] Likely Buni 17 March 2023
Enough is Enough-
SBM Intelligence[b][24] 		Buni 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.[27] Months later on 27 May 2022, INEC made a slight revision to the timetable, allowing parties extra time to conduct primaries.[28]

  • 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

General election

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Results

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2023 Yobe State gubernatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
AA Mohammed Arabi
ADP Adamu Umar
APP Adamu Ahmed
ADC Mohammad Tilio Abdullahi
APM Mohammed Bukar
APC Mai Mala Buni
LP Muhammad Ahmed Yusufari
New Nigeria Peoples Party Garba Umar
PDP Sharif Abdullahi
SDP Audi Dalhatu
YPP Mohammed Maina
Total votes 100.00%
Invalid or blank votes N/A
Turnout

By senatorial district

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The results of the election by senatorial district.

Senatorial District Mai Mala Buni
APC 		Sharif Abdullahi
PDP 		Others Total Valid Votes
Votes Percentage Votes Percentage Votes Percentage
Yobe East Senatorial District[e] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Yobe North Senatorial District[f] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Yobe 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 Mai Mala Buni
APC 		Sharif Abdullahi
PDP 		Others Total Valid Votes
Votes Percentage Votes Percentage Votes Percentage
Bade/Jakusko Federal Constituency[h] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Bursari/Geidam/Yunusari Federal Constituency[i] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Damaturu/Gujba/Gulani/Tarmuwa Federal Constituency[j] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Fika/Fune Federal Constituency[k] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Machina/Nguru/Yusufari/Karasuwa Federal Constituency[l] TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD
Nangere/Potiskum Federal Constituency[m] 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 Mai Mala Buni
APC 		Sharif Abdullahi
PDP 		Others Total Valid Votes Turnout Percentage
Votes Percentage Votes Percentage Votes Percentage
Bade TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Bursari TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Damaturu TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Fika TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Fune TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Geidam TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Gujba TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Gulani TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Jakusko TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Karasuwa TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Machina TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Nangere TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Nguru TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Potiskum TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Tarmuwa TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Yunusari TBD % TBD % TBD % TBD %
Yusufari 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.[29]
  4. ^ The original deadline was 9 March; however, INEC pushed it back to 16 March.[30]
  5. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Bursari, Geidam, Gujba, Gulani, Tarmuwa, and Yunusari.
  6. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Bade, Jakusko, Karasuwa, Machina, Nguru, and Yusufari.
  7. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Damaturu, Fika, Fune, Nangere, and Potiskum.
  8. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Bade and Jakusko.
  9. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Bursari, Geidam, and Yunusari.
  10. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Damaturu, Gujba, Gulani, and Tarmuwa.
  11. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Fika and Fune.
  12. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Karasuwa, Machina, Nguru, and Yusufari.
  13. ^ Comprising the local government areas of Nangere and Potiskum.

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 "Buni emerges Yobe APC guber candidate unopposed". Premium Times. News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Usman, Shehu. "2023: Shariff Abdullahi emerges Yobe PDP guber candidate". Daily Post. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  6. ^ Itua, Fred. "Buni unveils education policy in Yobe". The Sun. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  7. ^ Musa, Aliyu. "Gov Buni Executes, Rehabilitates 26 Townships Roads, Others In 2 Years". Leadership. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  8. ^ Olowolagba, Fikayo. "I spend at least 3 days in a month in Yobe – Gov. Buni replies critics". Daily Post. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  9. ^ Shehu, Idris. "THE AFTERMATH: Buni displaced as APC chairman — can Jonathan's 'salesman' recover from the blow?". TheCable. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  10. ^ James, Dominic. "Primaries: INEC Grants Parties Six Extra Days, Timetable Remains Unchanged". INEC News. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  11. ^ Odunsi, Wale. "2023: APC extends sale of forms, fixes dates to elect delegates". Daily Post. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  12. ^ Nseyen, Nsikak. "2023: APC fixes new date for governorship primaries, others". Daily Post. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  13. ^ Majeed, Bakare (20 April 2022). "UPDATED: 2023: APC fixes presidential forms for N100 million, adopts indirect primaries". Premium Times. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  14. ^ Angbulu, Stephen; Ayeni, Victor; Dada, Peter; Naku, Dennis; Ede, Raphael (21 April 2022). "Presidential primary: APC silent on zoning, Nigerians condemn N100m nomination fee". The Punch. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  15. ^ APC Nigeria [@OfficialAPCNg] (May 11, 2022). "NEW DATES" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 May 2022 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ APC Nigeria [@OfficialAPCNg] (May 18, 2022). "ADJUSTED TIMETABLE" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 May 2022 – via Twitter.
  17. ^ Angbulu, Stephen (21 April 2022). "2023: PDP extends sale of forms for fourth time". The Punch. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ Ukaibe, Chibuzo. "2023: PDP Fixes New Date For Gov'ship Primaries". Leadership. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  20. ^ Jirgi, Hassan. "2023 Yobe Governorship: Abba Gana Tata Picks PDP Forms". Al Jazirah News. Damaturu. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR STATE ELECTIONS - Governorship & Houses of Assembly" (PDF). Independent National Electoral Commission. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  22. ^ Alli, Yusuf; Alabelewe, Abdulgafar; Uja, Emmanuel; Ihyongo, Fanen; Joel, Duku; Suleiman, Adamu; Saidu, Khadijat; Okezie, Augustine; Sani, Sani Muhammad; Alao, Onimisi. "2023: Race to Government House (3)". The Nation. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  23. ^ Odufowokan, 'Dare. "Yobe: APC, PDP in fierce battle for Buni's job". The Nation. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  24. ^ a b "The EiE-SBM 2023 Election forecast: Diminished interest in state elections will make for poor outcomes". SBM Intelligence. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  25. ^ "Who governs in Northern Nigeria? Factors that'll shape the races". Vanguard. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  26. ^ Elimian, Adrian. "Nigerian Gubernatorial Elections: State Ratings". Africa Elects. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  27. ^ Jimoh, Abbas (26 February 2022). "INEC Sets New Dates For 2023 General Elections". Daily Trust. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  28. ^ "Schedule of Activities for 2023 General Election". ThisDay. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  29. ^ James, Dominic. "Primaries: INEC Grants Parties Six Extra Days, Timetable Remains Unchanged". INEC News. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  30. ^ Suleiman, Qosim. "It's Official: INEC postpones Saturday's governorship, state assembly elections". Premium Times. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
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