No less than 17 of the 28 states where governorship elections will be held in the 2023 elections are likely to be tough because the governors would have to battle for their successors.

The governors of the 17 states where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would conduct the 2023 governorship polls have completed their second terms.

Latest about the 2023 governorship elections

This is because the governors will be saddled with the duty of ensuring victory for their successors.

The recent list of candidates for state elections by INEC has drawn the battle line between the 17 governors and other candidates.

According to the list, 18 political parties would be fielding 837 candidates for the 28 governorship elections, while 10,231 candidates would contest for the 993 state houses of assemblies.

List of the states and the outgoing governors

Abia - Okezie Ikpeazu

Rivers - Nyesom Wike

Cross River - Ben Ayade

Udom Emmanuel - Akwa Ibom

Delta - Ifeanyi Okowa

Enugu - Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

Ebonyi - Dave Umahi

Katsina - Aminu Masari

Benue - Samuel Ortom

Kaduna - Nasir El-Rufai

Kano - Umar Ganduje

Sokoto - Aminu Tambuwal

Niger - Abubakar Sani Bello

Jigawa - Abubakar Badaru

Taraba - Dairus Ishaku

Kebbi - Atiku Bagudu

Plateau - Simon Lalong

Why election may be tough in some states

Also, the governorship election may be tough in states where the outgoing governors had battled with their political godfathers during the primary in picking successors.

Some of these states included Delta, where Okowa and James Ibori had a running battle during the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP vice presidential candidate, Okowa, supported Sheriff Oborevwori.

Also, governors Ugwuanyi and Ikpeazu ruffled feathers in their states to ensure their candidates emerged as the party’s candidates.

2023 Elections: List of governors contesting for second term in office and their chances

Legit.ng earlier reported that no less than 11 sitting governors will contest for second terms in the 2023 governorship election.

Some of these governors have a high chance of winning their re-election bid with little or no itch.

However, others could face tough challenges in the 2023 poll due to one challenge or the other confronting them in their states.