Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Candidates - 2019

Delta

Nigerian politician Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, a PDP member, won Delta State governorship elections in 2015 and 2019, serving as governor since 2015. Born in 1959, he transitioned from medicine to politics, holding key roles in local and state government before national recognition. His tenure faced controversies over privatization and financial irregularities, including a 2024 EFCC probe into alleged corruption.

Rivers

Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is a Nigerian politician.

Taraba

Architect and politician Darius Ishaku, born in 1954, served as Taraba State’s governor (2015–2023) before losing the 2023 Senate election in Taraba South.

Akwa Ibom

Nigerian politician and accountant Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, born in 1966, served as Akwa Ibom State governor (2015–2023) under PDP, winning two gubernatorial elections but facing allegations of budget mismanagement and corruption during his tenure.

Oyo

Engineer-turned-politician Oluseyi Makinde, a PDP candidate, won Oyo State gubernatorial elections in 2019 and 2023 with over 515,000 votes each time, serving as governor since 2019. A business leader in oil and gas, he holds multiple professional affiliations and awards for leadership and innovation.

Sokoto

Nigerian lawyer and politician Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (PDP) served as Sokoto State governor (2015–2023) and House Speaker before contesting and losing the 2023 Senate election. Known for governance reforms and infrastructure projects, his tenure faced corruption allegations despite widespread development achievements.

Bauchi

Mohammed Bala Abdulkadir is a Nigerian politician who holds a WAEC, SCHOOL, CERTIFICATE, B.A., (HONS), and ENGLISH.

Enugu

Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a PDP politician from Enugu State, is a former House of Representatives member and twice-elected governor, known for his roles in maritime and pension policy, and his 2019 gubernatorial victory with 449,935 votes.

Benue

Nigerian politician Samuel Ioraer Ortom, a PDP member from Benue State, won the 2019 gubernatorial election with 434,473 votes, previously serving as a Minister of State under Goodluck Jonathan and holding multiple party roles in Benue politics.

Ebonyi

David Umahi, a PDP-turned-APC politician from Ebonyi State, is a civil engineer with a history of governance in Ebonyi, including two terms as governor (2015–2023) and a Senate term (2023–present). His political career includes controversies over governance, financial allegations, and a presidential ambition in 2023.

Cross River

Benedict Ayade is a Cross River State politician with academic and scientific expertise, serving as a former senator, governor, and advocate for environmental and agricultural development.

Imo

Chukwuemeka Ihedioha, born in 1965, is a Nigerian politician and businessman who served as Imo State governor (2019–2020) before being removed by court, and later resigned from PDP in 2024. Known for anti-corruption policies and infrastructural projects, he has held key legislative roles and business ventures in energy and real estate.

Abia

Nigerian politician Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, born 1964 in Abia, served as Governor of Abia State (2015–2023) before contesting the 2023 Senate election on the PDP ticket and losing in the Abia South district.

Kano

Abba Kabir Yusuf, born in 1963, is a Kano-based politician with engineering and business administration qualifications, serving as governor since 2023 after multiple electoral challenges under PDP and NNPP.

Katsina

Garba Yakubu Lado, an Islam faith-affiliated politician from Katsina state, ran as a PDP candidate in the 2019 Katsina governorship election and lost with 488,621 votes.

Jigawa

Ibrahim Aminu Ringim, a PDP-affiliated Jigawa politician, ran in the 2019 Jigawa governorship election and lost with 288,356 votes.

Nasarawa

Nigerian PDP politician Emmanuel Ombugadu, born 1978, served in the House of Representatives (2011–2019) and ran unsuccessfully for Nasarawa State governorship (2019: 184,281 votes; 2023: 283,016 votes). Educated in Kaduna and Jos, he holds an MSc in Economics and served in legislative committees before entering politics.