Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Candidates - 2023

Oyo

Nigerian engineer and politician Oluseyi Makinde, a Yoruba from Ibadan, won Oyo State's 2023 gubernatorial election with 563,756 votes, becoming the state's longest-serving governor since 2019.

17 news stories

Plateau

Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, a lawyer and politician, is the Governor of Plateau State since 2023, born in Wussasa, Zaria, with a background in education and legal practice.

19 news stories

Bauchi

Mohammed Bala Abdulkadir, a Hausa politician from Bauchi State, is a PDP candidate who won Bauchi State gubernatorial elections with 525,280 votes, serving as governor since 2019 and previously holding key roles in the civil service and federal government.

25 news stories · 3 policies

Adamawa

Nigerian politician and twice-governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, won the 2023 election with 430,861 votes, leaving the PDP to join the APC in 2026 despite controversies over high aide appointments.

1 news story

Zamfara

Dauda Lawal, a banker and PDP candidate, won Zamfara State governorship election in 2023 with 377,726 votes, defeating incumbent Bello Matawalle, marking PDP’s first win in the state since 1999.

52 news stories · 1 policy

Delta

Politician and former Delta State Speaker Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, born in 1963, won the 2023 gubernatorial election but later defected to APC in 2025, becoming the APC’s candidate for 2027 elections in Delta State.

16 news stories

Akwa Ibom

Umo Bassey Eno, a Christian clergyman and politician from Akwa Ibom State, became Governor after winning the election, previously serving as Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources and founding All Nations Christian Ministry International.

18 news stories

Rivers

Siminalayi Fubara, a Rivers State politician, won the 2023 governorship election with 302,614 votes but faced suspension in 2025 due to political instability, legal challenges, and allegations of corruption, later reinstated and defecting to APC.

25 news stories

Taraba

Retired Nigerian Army Lieutenant Colonel Agbu Kefas, born in Wukari, Taraba, is a Christian politician who served as Governor of Taraba State (2023–present) after winning the PDP primary and gubernatorial elections, though he later defected to APC in 2026.

31 news stories

Enugu

Maritime lawyer and businessman Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, a PDP candidate from Enugu, won Enugu State’s 2023 gubernatorial election, became Governor in 2023, and later joined APC in 2025 after defecting from PDP.

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