Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Candidates - 2023

Oyo

Engineer-turned-politician Oluseyi Makinde (PDP) won Oyo State’s 2019 and 2023 gubernatorial elections, serving as governor since 2019 with a background in oil/gas engineering and business leadership.

17 news stories

Plateau

Nigerian lawyer and politician Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, born 1965, served as Plateau State Governor since 2023 after winning the 2023 Gubernatorial Elections with over half a million votes. He holds qualifications from primary school to law practice and has held local government positions.

19 news stories

Bauchi

Mohammed Bala Abdulkadir is a Nigerian politician who holds a WAEC and a BA.

25 news stories

Adamawa

Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri, a PDP politician from Adamawa, won the 2023 gubernatorial election with 430,861 votes after multiple inconclusive collations. He has served as governor since 2019 and is noted for his leadership in Adamawa State.

1 news story

Zamfara

Dauda Lawal, a banker-turned-politician from Zamfara State, won the 2023 PDP gubernatorial election with 377,726 votes, defeating incumbent Bello Matawalle. Previously nominated for APC in 2018, he holds degrees in political science and business administration and has served as First Bank’s executive director.

57 news stories

Delta

Oborevwori Sheriff Francis Orohwedor is a Nigerian politician who holds an MSc.

16 news stories

Akwa Ibom

Former Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources in Akwa Ibom State, Umo Bassey Eno (born 1964) is a politician with degrees in Public Administration, known for his career in business and public service, including multiple accolades for leadership and community service.

18 news stories

Rivers

Siminalayi Fubara, born in 1975, became Rivers State’s governor in 2023 but faced suspension in 2025 amid political instability, later defecting to APC in 2026.

25 news stories

Taraba

Kefas Agbu is a Nigerian politician who holds an FSLC, a GCE, and a BSc.

33 news stories

Enugu

Maritime lawyer and business entrepreneur Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, a PDP candidate, won Enugu’s 2023 gubernatorial election with 160,895 votes. A Lagos State University alumnus with advanced qualifications in law and business, he holds leadership roles in state governance and philanthropy.

26 news stories

Kaduna

Mohammed Ashiru Isa, a PDP candidate from Kaduna State, lost the 2023 gubernatorial election, securing 719,196 votes. A former House of Representatives member and Sarkin Bai of Zazzau Emirate, he holds a master's in Public Policy and has a long political career with multiple legislative and administrative roles.

2 news stories

Katsina

Garba Yakubu Lado, a PDP candidate from Katsina, ran for Katsina State governorship in 2023 but lost with 486,620 votes and Aminu Yar’adua Ahmed as his running mate.

Sokoto

Saidu Umar Kumo, a former Nigerian Senator and politician, was expelled from ANPP, accused of anti-party activities, and died from COVID-19 in 2020 despite past roles in national politics and a controversial election allegation in Gombe State.

19 news stories

Niger

Liman Isah Kantigi, a PDP-affiliated candidate from Niger State, ran for governorship in Niger in 2023 but lost the election, receiving 387,476 votes alongside running mate Gwomna Samuel.

Jigawa

Nigerian politician Lamido Sule, a PDP member from Jigawa, served as governor (2007–2015) and Foreign Minister (1999–2003), but faced corruption allegations and lost the 2026 presidential bid with 368,726 votes to Atiku Abubakar.

23 news stories · 2 policies

Kebbi

Bande Aminu, a PDP candidate from Kebbi, competed in the 2023 governorship election but lost, receiving 360,940 votes and a running mate named Salihu Bui Samaila.

16 news stories

Nasarawa

Nigerian politician Emmanuel Ombugadu, born in 1978, ran unsuccessfully for Nasarawa State Governor in 2019 and 2023 as a PDP candidate, previously serving as a House of Representatives member and holding key committee roles.

Gombe

Jibrin Muhammad Barde, a PDP candidate from Gombe, ran for governorship in 2023 but lost with 233,131 votes and supported Danlele Timothy A. as his running mate.

Benue

Titus Uba, a native of Akehe, Ute, Vandeikya LGA, Benue State, is a former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly (since 2018) with a background in mechanical engineering education.

Cross River

Nigerian politician, historian, and philanthropist Sandy Ojang Onor (PDP) served as Senator for Cross River Central (2019–2023), with academic and administrative experience in Cross River State.

13 news stories

Kwara

Abdullahi Shuaibu Yaman, a PDP candidate from Kwara, ran for governorship in 2023 but lost the election with 155,490 votes and Makanjuola Gbenga Peter as his running mate.

8 news stories

Yobe

Abdullahi Sharif, a Yobe State candidate from the PDP, ran for governorship in 2023 but lost after receiving 104,259 votes.

6 news stories

Abia

Ikonne Elezar Ajuzie Uchenna, a PDP candidate from Abia state, ran for governorship in 2023 but lost the election with 88,529 votes and Igwe Philip Okey as his running mate.

Borno

Mohammed Ali Ndume, a Borno South Senator (APC/PDP) with a background in education and politics, is known for his constituency development projects, legislative advocacy, and leadership in Borno State’s political landscape despite recent political setbacks.

22 news stories · 2 policies

Ebonyi

Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, a businessman and philanthropist from Ebonyi State, is a PDP gubernatorial candidate (lost in 2023 election) with a background in education, leadership roles, and contributions to Ebonyi’s development through scholarships and foundation projects.

Lagos

Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, known as Jandor, is a PDP gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, with a background in journalism, entrepreneurship, and education from institutions like Oxford and Howard University.

21 news stories

Kano

Wali Mohammed Sadiq, a PDP candidate from Kano, ran for the 2023 Kano state governorship election but lost.

4 news stories