Barely two years into the current political cycle, succession battles are already raging in no fewer than 10 states where governors are nearing the end of their constitutionally mandated two-term limit.
Findings by Sunday Punch show that intense underground politicking, subtle campaigns, and strategic alignments are gaining momentum in states such as Lagos, Ogun, and Nasarawa, even as outgoing governors keep their preferred successors close to their chests.
Of the 28 governors sworn in after the 2023 general elections, 10 are currently serving their final terms. These include the governors of Oyo, Gombe, Bauchi, Lagos, Ogun, Borno, Nasarawa, Kwara, Yobe, and Adamawa. Seven of them belong to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while the remaining three are of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Although none of the governors has publicly endorsed any successor, signs of a looming political storm are already visible, with campaign posters surfacing and high-profile names circulating.
In Lagos, political observers believe the battle to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will be shaped by President Bola Tinubu, the state’s former governor and APC national leader.
A reliable source within the APC told Punch, “From my experience, Tinubu may not pick any of these loyalists. History has shown he often brings someone unexpected and gives that person full support. That is how he works. All these people making noise now are just distractions. Tinubu will not pick any of them. I am very sure of that.”
Among those reportedly in the mix are:
Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat
Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode
Senator Tokunbo Abiru
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila
Lagos Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa
Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu
Presidential aide, Muri Okunola
Despite the buzz, APC state spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, told Sunday Punch that the party is currently focused on the forthcoming local government elections.
“The 2027 governorship race is not on our front burner at the moment,” Oladejo said.
Opposition parties are not waiting on the sidelines. The PDP and Labour Party (LP) in Lagos have confirmed that groundwork has commenced for the next governorship election.
The Deputy Chairman of PDP in Lagos, Tai Benedict, said the party was being cautious with its selection process to avoid a repeat of past mistakes.
“One of those who have shown interest is Funso Doherty, but we are looking inwards this time. We won’t make the same mistake we made with Jandor,” he said, referring to 2023 candidate Abdul-Azeez Adediran.
The Labour Party, which gained significant traction in Lagos during the last election cycle, is also strategising. LP Chairman Dayo Ekong said the party is strengthening its grassroots mobilisation.
“We are building our structures across polling units,” LP Secretary Sam Okpala added.
The post Governorship Succession Heats Up In 10 States As Governors Near Exit appeared first on Naija News.