The last general elections in Nigeria were adjudged to be mostly credible and an improvement over previous polls. However there were several alleged cases of rigging and manipulation in some states which has now caused losing candidates to attempt to seek redress in the election tribunals.

Governorship elections were conducted in twenty nine states, out of which candidates have signified interest to challenge the results at the governorship election tribunal in fourteen of the states so far.

1. Benue:

Even though the outging governor Gabriel Suswam assured the governor-elect Samuel Ortom of the APC that the PDP and its candidate Prince Terhemen Tarzoor would not challenge the result, the losing candidate in a shocking move has decided to go to the tribunal.

Tarzoor’s laŵyer, Barr. Titus Hyundu, while filing his petition against the governor-elect in Makurdi, argued that the national secretariat of the PDP has permitted any aggrieved candidate to go to court. He said that arzoor was challenging Ortom’s victory based on the fact that Ortom was not qualified to contest the election because he was not validly nominated by the APC, hence all his votes scored during the elections should be rendered invalid and transferred to Tarzoor as the duly contestant of the gubernatorial poll.

2. Gombe

Against all odds, the PDP governor of Gombe state, Ibrahim Dankwambo, survived the APC onslaught in the North and defeated his APC counterpart, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya. Yahaya is challenging Dankwambo’s victory.

3. Oyo

Whereas other candidates like Adebayo Alo-Akala of Labour Party and Teslim Folarin of the PDP have accepted defeat and called to congratulate Gov. Abiola Ajimobi over his victory, the candidate of Accord Party, Rashidi Ladoja, has vowed to challenge the result at the tribunal.

4. Ogun

PDP candidate, Gboyega Isiaka refused to accept debate and will challenge the result of the elections at the tribunal.

5. Delta

Just as he did in the last three times he vied for the governorship of the state, Great Ogboru of the Labour Party has said he would go to the tribunal. According to him: “Okowa did not score majority of lawful votes cast in the election and did not also meet the relevant constitutional provisions. It is our firm belief that the return of Okowa as governor-elect does not reflect the democratic will of the majority of our electorate. His said return is based on electoral irregularities and malpractices that cannot be ignored by any unbiased umpire.”

6. Kebbi

In Kebbi State, the PDP candidate, Sarki Yaki Bello, said he might challenge the declaration of the APCs Atiku Bagudu as winner of the election.

READ: 12 Members In The Kebbi State Assembly Are On The Loose, And The Governor Is Their Next Target

7. Akwa Ibom

Umana Umana, the APC governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom is challenging the victory of the PDP’s Udom Emmanuel.

8. Rivers

Following the landslide victory of ex-minister Nyesom Wike in Rivers state, the APC and its governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, have insisted that they will be heading to the tribunal to seek redress.

9. Imo

Deputy speaker of the House of Reps, Emeka Ihedioha, who lost to the APC’s Rochas Okorocha, has vowed to challenge the victory of the governor as – according to him – there was a conspiracy between INEC and the APC in Imo to rig the poll in Okorocha’s favour.

10. Taraba

Having failed in her aspiration to become Nigeria’s first female governor, the APC’s Hajiya Aisha Jummai Alhassan is challenging the declaration Darius Ishaku of the PDP as winner of the election. She alleged that there were irregularities, hijack of election materials and a conspiracy to deny her victory.

11. Yobe

Adamu Maina Waziri of the PDP is challenging the reelection of Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam.

12. Ebonyi

Edward Nkweogou of the Labour Party, who was the preferred candidate of the state governor, Martin Elechi, has vowed to challenge the victory of Dave Umahi of the PDP who is the current deputy governor.

13. Abia

APGA’s governorship candidate, Alex Otti, and his party, also vowed to challenge the result in court, alleging that manipulation and travesty of the people’s will marred the poll. Abia’s election was generally regarded as the worst in the country as the INEC REC made an about-turn after cancelling results of elections in three LGAs.

14. Plateau

Gyang Pwajok of PDP has already filed a suit at the tribunal, challenging the election of the APC’s Simon Lalong as the governor.