2023 Bayelsa State gubernatorial election

2023 Bayelsa State gubernatorial election

←  2019 11 November 2023 2027 →

Nominee Douye Diri Timipre Sylva Party PDP APC Running mate Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo Joshua Maciver Popular vote 175,196 110,108 Percentage 60.93% 38.29%

Results by local government area Results by Federal Constituency Results by Senatorial District Sylva:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Diri:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

Governor before election Douye Diri PDP Elected Governor Douye Diri PDP

The 2023 Bayelsa State gubernatorial election took place on 11 November 2023 to elect the Governor of Bayelsa State. ^[1] Incumbent PDP Governor Douye Diri won election to a second term by a 23.6% margin of victory over former Governor Timipre Sylva, the APC nominee. ^[2]

The primaries, scheduled for between 27 March and 17 April 2023, resulted in Diri being renominated by the Peoples Democratic Party unopposed on 12 April while the All Progressives Congress nominated Sylva on 15 April. ^{[3] [4]}

On 21 March, INEC declared Diri as the victor with official totals showing him winning about 175,000 votes (~61% of the vote) to defeat Sylva with about 110,000 votes (~41% of the vote). ^{[2] [5]} Due to alleged irregularities, Sylva rejected the results and filed a challenge at the electoral tribunal. ^[6] The legal case eventually reached the Supreme Court, which upheld the election of Diri in a August 2024 judgment. ^[7]

Electoral system

The Governor of Bayelsa 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 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. ^[8]

Background

Bayelsa State is a small state in the South South mainly populated by Ijaw peoples; although its oil reserves make it one of the most resource-rich states in the nation, Bayelsa has faced challenges in security and environmental degradation in large part due to years of systemic corruption and illegal oil bunkering.

Politically, the state's early 2019 elections were categorized as the continuation of the PDP's dominance albeit with the APC making considerable gains by gaining one senate and two House of Representatives seats. The APC also gained ground in the assembly election and Bayelsa also was the state that swung the most towards Buhari in the presidential election, although that could be chalked up to former Governor Goodluck Jonathan no longer being PDP nominee. Later in 2019, the swing towards the APC dramatically increased as its gubernatorial nominee David Lyon won by a large margin but Diri was declared victor after Lyon was disqualified before the inauguration. Ensuing senate by-elections in 2020 were then easily won by the PDP, cementing the state's potentially erratic voting record.

During its term, the Diri administration's stated focuses included economic diversification, agricultural development, and the completion of the Bayelsa International Airport. In terms of his performance, Diri was commended for the completion of the airport and the Nembe Unity Bridge while being criticized for forcing his way past airport security checkpoints in August 2021 and praising former military dictator Sani Abacha. ^{[9] [10] [11] [12]}

Primary elections

The primaries, along with any potential challenges to primary results, will take place between 27 March and 17 April 2022. ^[1]

All Progressives Congress

In February 2022, the national APC announced its gubernatorial primaries' schedule, 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. Both primary forms were sold from 14 to 22 February 2023. The form submission deadline was set for 22 February while candidates would be screened between 24 and 26 February. Ward congresses were set for 8 April in Bayelsa and Imo states to elect delegates for the primary while the Kogi congresses had been held on 8 February. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 10 April, in concurrence with the other APC gubernatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 12 April. ^[13]

Purchased forms

• David Lyon: 2019 APC gubernatorial nominee ^{[14] [15]}
• Timipre Sylva: Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (2019–present), 2015 APC gubernatorial nominee, and former Governor (2007–2008; 2008–2012) ^{[14] [16]}

Potential

• Peremobowei Ebebi: 2020 Bayelsa West senatorial by-election nominee and former Deputy Governor ^[14]
• Heineken Lokpobiri: former Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development (2015–2019) and former Senator for Bayelsa West (2007–2015) ^[14]

People's Democratic Party

On 1 December 2022, the national PDP announced its gubernatorial primaries' schedule. Both primary forms—the expression of interest and nomination forms—were sold from 16 to 31 January 2023, aside from Kogi State where the deadline was later extended to 13 February. Similarly, all form submission deadlines were pushed back from 13 February to 1 March. Ward congresses were set for 28-29 March and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 8 April to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 14-15 May, in concurrence with all other PDP gubernatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made in the following days. ^[17]

Cleared by screening committee

• Douye Diri: Governor (2020–present) ^{[18] [19]}

Declined

• Timi Alaibe: 2019 PDP gubernatorial candidate and former NDDC Managing Director/CEO

Conduct

Electoral timetable

On 25 October 2022, the Independent National Electoral Commission released the timetable, setting out key dates and deadlines for the election. ^{[20] [21]}

• 14 November 2022 – Publication of Notice of Election
• 27 March 2023 – First day for the conduct of party primaries
• 17 April 2023 – Final day for the conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them
• 24 April 2023 – First day for submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online portal
• 5 May 2023 – Final day for submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online portal
• 9 June 2023 – Publication of final nominee list
• 14 June 2023 – Commencement of the official campaign period
• 9 November 2023 – Final day of the official campaign period

General election

Results

Candidates' vote share

   Douye Diri (PDP) (60.93%)

   Timipre Sylva (APC) (38.29%)

  Other candidates (0.78%)

2023 Bayelsa State gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	A
	AA
	ADP
	APP
	AAC
	ADC
	APM
	APC
	APGA
	BP
	LP
	New Nigeria Peoples Party
	NRM
	PDP
	PRP
	SDP
	YPP
	ZLP
Total votes				100.00%
Turnout

By senatorial district

Percentage of the vote won by each major candidate by district.
Sylva      <30%     30–40%     60–70%	Diri      30–40%     60–70%     70–80%

The results of the election by senatorial district.

Senatorial District	Timipre Sylva APC		Douye Diri PDP		Others		Total Valid Votes
	Votes	Percentage	Votes	Percentage	Votes	Percentage
Bayelsa Central Senatorial District [a]	38,052	31.68%	80,927	67.37%	1,149	0.96%	120,128
Bayelsa East Senatorial District [b]	56,998	61.14%	35,593	38.18%	627	0.67%	93,218
Bayelsa West Senatorial District [c]	15,053	20.28%	58,676	79.07%	479	0.65%	74,208
Totals	110,108	60.93%	175,196	38.29%	2,250	0.78%	287,554

By federal constituency

Percentage of the vote won by each major candidate by constituency.
Sylva      <30%     40–50%     60–70%	Diri      <30%     50–60%     70–80%

The results of the election by federal constituency.

Federal Constituency	Timipre Sylva APC		Douye Diri PDP		Others		Total Valid Votes
	Votes	Percentage	Votes	Percentage	Votes	Percentage
Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency [d]	40,679	69.84%	17,158	29.46%	410	0.70%	58,247
Ogbia Federal Constituency [e]	16,319	46.66%	18,435	52.72%	217	0.62%	34,971
Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency [f]	15,053	20.28%	58,676	79.07%	479	0.65%	74,208
Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency [g]	18,174	42.11%	24,685	57.20%	299	0.69%	43,158
Yenagoa/Kolokuna/Opokuma Federal Constituency [h]	19,878	25.83%	56,242	73.07%	850	1.10%	76,970
Totals	110,108	60.93%	175,196	38.29%	2,250	0.78%	287,554

By local government area

The results of the election by local government area.

LGA	Timipre Sylva APC		Douye Diri PDP		Others		Total Valid Votes	Turnout Percentage
	Votes	Percentage	Votes	Percentage	Votes	Percentage
Brass [22] [23]	18,431	59.05%	12,602	40.38%	178	0.57%	31,211	34.10%
Ekeremor [24]	8,445	26.61%	23,172	73.00%	124	0.39%	31,741	23.37%
Kolokuma/Opokuma [25]	5,344	22.34%	18,465	77.20%	109	0.46%	23,918	36.98%
Nembe [24]	22,248	82.29%	4,556	16.85%	232	0.86%	27,036	27.67%
Ogbia [25]	16,319	46.66%	18,435	52.72%	217	0.62%	34,971	30.91%
Sagbama [24]	6,608	15.56%	35,504	83.60%	355	0.84%	42,467	30.89%
Southern Ijaw [26]	18,174	42.11%	24,685	57.20%	299	0.69%	43,158	27.20%
Yenagoa [25]	14,534	27.40%	37,777	71.21%	741	1.40%	53,052	24.90%
Totals	110,108	60.93%	175,196	38.29%	2,250	0.78%	287,554	36.23%

Percentage of the vote won by each major candidate by LGA.		Turnout Percentage by LGA
Sylva      <30%     40–50%      50–60%     80–90%	Diri      <30%     40–50%     50–60%      70–80%     80–90%	Turnout      <30%     30–40%

Notes

1. Comprising the local government areas of Kolokuma/Opokuma, Southern Ijaw, and Yenagoa.
2. Comprising the local government areas of Brass, Ogbia, and Nembe.
3. Comprising the local government areas of Ekeremor and Sagbama.
4. Comprising the local government areas of Brass and Nembe.
5. Comprising the local government area of Ogbia.
6. Comprising the local government areas of Ekeremor and Sagbama.
7. Comprising the local government area of Southern Ijaw.
8. Comprising the local government areas of Kolokuma/Opokuma and Yenagoa.

References

1. Adenekan, Samson. "INEC releases date for Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi off-cycle governorship elections". Premium Times . Retrieved 25 October 2022.
2. Francis, Tarinipre. "JUST IN: Bayelsa State Gov Douye Diri Re-Elected". Foundation For Investigative Journalism. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
3. Timi-Wood, Doubra. "Diri Wins Bayelsa PDP Gov Ticket Unchallenged". Channels TV . Retrieved 30 December 2024.
4. "Timipre Sylva emerges APC governorship candidate in Bayelsa". Premium Times . News Agency of Nigeria . Retrieved 30 December 2024.
5. Yusuf, Kabir. "DATA ANALYSIS: What the numbers reveal about Bayelsa governorship election". Premium Times . Retrieved 30 December 2024.
6. Mbah, Okem. "Sylva, Eradiri Reject Bayelsa Election Result, Demand Review". Leadership . Retrieved 30 December 2024.
7. "Supreme Court upholds Diri's re-election as Bayelsa governor". Premium Times . News Agency of Nigeria . Retrieved 30 December 2024.
8. Mboho, Justina (2023-03-17). "Here's what the law says about gubernatorial elections in Nigeria". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2024-04-26. A candidate's contesting election to governorship positions shall be deemed to have been duly elected where he has the highest number of votes cast and not less than one-quarter of all the votes cast in each of at least two-thirds of all the local government areas in the state.
9. James, Akam (11 August 2021). "Jubilation as first commercial flight lands at Bayelsa Airport". Daily Post . Retrieved 14 March 2022.
10. "Bayelsa: Royal father praises Gov. Diri for completing Nembe 'unity bridge'". Peoples Gazette . News Agency of Nigeria. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
11. ""The Bags Belong To The Governor"—Power-Drunk Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, Aides Breach Airport Security Procedure, Refuse To Be Screened To Board Flight". Sahara Reporters . Retrieved 14 March 2022.
12. "Ex-Military Dictator, Abacha Remains Our Hero In Bayelsa – Governor Diri". Sahara Reporters . Retrieved 14 March 2022.
13. APC Nigeria [@OfficialAPCNg] (February 17, 2023). "APC RELEASES TIMETABLE AND SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES FOR 2023 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS IN IMO, KOGI AND BAYELSA STATES" (Tweet). Retrieved 17 February 2023– via Twitter.
14. "Bayelsa 2023 guber polls: Ebebi jettisons Sylva's rotational formula, declares interest". Vanguard . 23 April 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
15. Agba, George (18 February 2023). "Bayelsa Guber: Lyon Picks APC Forms, Supporters Seek Right Of First Refusal". Leadership . Retrieved 18 February 2023.
16. "JUST IN: Timipre Sylva joins race for Bayelsa gov seat". The Punch . 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
17. Odunsi, Wale (10 February 2023). "PDP postpones screening date for Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi governorship aspirants". Daily Post . Retrieved 11 February 2023.
18. Folaranmi, Femi (8 February 2023). "Bayelsa guber: Diri picks nomination form for re-election". The Sun . Retrieved 11 February 2023.
19. Igoni, Daniels (21 March 2023). "PDP clears Diri for Bayelsa gov poll". The Punch . Retrieved 21 March 2023.
20. Adenekan, Samson. "INEC releases date for Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi off-cycle governorship elections". Premium Times . Retrieved 25 October 2022.
21. INEC Nigeria [@inecnigeria] (October 25, 2022). "Release of Timetable and Schedule of Activities for Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi Governorship Elections" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 October 2022– via Twitter.
22. Naku, Dennis. "[LIVE UPDATES] #BayelsaDecides2023: Collation of results continues". The Punch . Retrieved 30 December 2024.
23. The Punch [@MobilePunch] (November 13, 2023). "Bayelsa State Governorship Election Results Cont'd" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
24. The Punch [@MobilePunch] (November 12, 2023). "#BayelsaDecides2023: Results As Announced by INEC:" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
25. Oduma, Igoniko (12 November 2023). "#BayelsaGuber2023: INEC Collates Results From Three LGAs – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". Independent Nigeria . Retrieved 30 December 2024.
26. The Punch [@MobilePunch] (November 13, 2023). "SOUTHERN IJAW LGA" (Tweet) – via Twitter.