2023 Zamfara State gubernatorial election

The 2023 Zamfara State gubernatorial election will take place on 11 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Zamfara State, concurrent with elections to the Zamfara 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 will be held two weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections. Incumbent APC Governor Bello Matawalle is eligible to run for re-election, but has not yet stated whether he will do so.

2023 Zamfara State gubernatorial election
11 March 2023
 
Party APC PDP
Governor before election

Bello Matawalle
APC

 Elected Governor

TBD
TBD

Electoral system

The Governor of Zamfara 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.

Primary elections

The primaries, along with any potential challenges to primary results, will take place between 4 April and 3 June 2022.[2]

All Progressives Congress

The internal power-struggle between former Governor Abdul'aziz Abubakar Yari and former Senator Kabir Garba Marafa that led to the disqualification of all 2019 Zamfara APC candidates continued after the election until Matawalle's defection in 2021. As Matawalle suddenly became the preeminent Zamfara APC politician, Yari and Marafa briefly reconciled to face Matawalle together before splitting again ahead of the state party congress in late 2021.[3] Infighting between the groups supported by Matawalle, Marafa, and Yari each culminated in three divided party factions, all claiming to be the legitimate party structure.[4] As Matawalle is a serving governor, his faction was recognized by the national party in February 2022 but the internal struggles have continued.[5]

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 are to be sold from 26 April until 6 May; after the submission of nomination forms by 10 May, candidates are to be screened by a party committee on 12 May while 14 May is the date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses and LGA congresses are set for between 7 and 9 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process will advance to a primary set for 18 May, in concurrence with other APC gubernatorial primaries; challenges to the result can be made on 20 May.[6][7][8]

Potential

People's Democratic Party

In the wake of Matawalle’s defection to the APC, Deputy Governor Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed Gusau swiftly took control of the Zamfara PDP and was named state party leader, even representing Zamfara at PDP Governors Forum meetings.[12] Mohammed Gusau received support from high-profile national PDP figures and fear of his potential gubernatorial run allegedly led to Mohammed Gusau's impeachment in February 2022; however, Mohammed Gusau ended up announcing his run for governor anyway.[13][11]

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 are to be screened by a party committee on 28 April while 2 May is the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses are set for 29 April and LGA congresses are set for 5 May to elect delegates for the primary.[14] Candidates approved by the screening process will advance to a primary set for 21 May, in concurrence with all other PDP gubernatorial primaries; challenges to the result can be made on 24 May.[15][16]

Declared

See also

References
  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. Jimoh, Abbas (26 February 2022). "INEC Sets New Dates For 2023 General Elections". Daily Trust. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  3. Adegbenro, Omoniyi. "Matawalle, Yari, Marafa renew battle for Zamfara APC". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  4. Orintunsin, Jide. "Matawalle, Marafa factions hold parallel LG congresses in Zamfara". The Nation. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  5. Umar, Shehu. "Yari, Marafa Factions Battle Matawalle Camp Over Thuggery". Daily Trust. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  6. Majeed, Bakare (20 April 2022). "UPDATED: 2023: APC fixes presidential forms for N100 million, adopts indirect primaries". Premium Times. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  7. 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.
  8. APC Nigeria [@OfficialAPCNg] (April 25, 2022). "OFFICIAL" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 April 2022 – via Twitter.
  9. Shibayan, Dyepkazah. "PDP rep: Matawalle desperate for reelection… he may become political orphan by 2023". TheCable. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  10. Sobechi, Leo (14 February 2022). "Gov Matawalle's shaky steps in Zamfara politics". The Guardian. Abuja. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  11. Babangida, Mohammed. "ANALYSIS: Intrigues, permutations that led to Zamfara deputy governor's impeachment". Premium Times. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  12. Babatunde, Adedayo. "2023: PDP Governors Reveal Readiness To Rescue Nigeria From APC's Misrule". Independent Nigeria. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  13. Gata, Awaal. "Mahdi Gusau: What is going on in Zamfara?". TheCable. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  14. Angbulu, Stephen (21 April 2022). "2023: PDP extends sale of forms for fourth time". The Punch. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  15. Yakubu, Dirisu (16 March 2022). "[BREAKING] 2023: PDP Presidential primary holds in May". Vanguard. Abuja. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  16. Akpan, Samuel (17 March 2022). "2023: PDP releases pre-election schedule, fixes presidential primary poll for May 28". TheCable. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  17. Anuku, Williams. "Impeached Zamfara Deputy governor, Gusau to contest against Matawalle, picks nomination form". Daily Post. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
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