2003 Delta State gubernatorial election
{{short description|2003 gubernatorial election in Delta State, Nigeria}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2003 Delta State gubernatorial election
| country = Nigeria
| flag_image = {{flagicon|NGR}}
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1999 Delta State gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1999
| next_election = 2007 Delta State gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2007
| election_date = April 19, 2003
| turnout =
| image_size =
| image1 =
| nominee1 = James Ibori
| running_mate1 = Benjamin Elue
| party1 = People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)
| popular_vote1 = 1,038,607
| percentage1 =
| image2 =
| nominee2 = Lucky Oghene Omoru
| running_mate2 =
| party2 = All Nigeria Peoples Party
| popular_vote2 =
| percentage2 =
| map_image =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| title = Governor
| before_election = James Ibori
| before_party = People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)
| after_election = James Ibori
| after_party = People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)
}}
The 2003 Delta State gubernatorial election occurred on April 19, 2003.{{Cite book |url=https://www.google.com/search?q=2003+kaduna+governorship+election+results |title=Nigeria Presidential and Gubernatorial Elections 2003 |publisher=EU Election Observation Mission |location=Abuja |format=PDF |date=April 22, 2003 |access-date=March 8, 2021}}{{Cite web |url=https://africanelections.tripod.com/id85.html |title=19 April 2003 Gubernatorial Elections in Nigeria |publisher=African Elections Database |access-date=May 17, 2021}}{{Cite web |url=https://dawodu.com/aluko44.htm |title=A Preliminary Forensic Analysis of INEC's Website So Far |last=Aluko |first=Mobolaji E. |date=April 28, 2003 |publisher=Dawodu.com |access-date=May 17, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/cmsdata/212733/Nigeria-general-elections_12-&-19-April-03-May-20016_EU-EOM-report.pdf|title=Nigeria General Elections 12 & 19 April 2003 and 03 May 2003|publisher=European Union Election Observation Mission|access-date=May 22, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/412eef5b4.html|title=Nigeria's 2003 Elections: The Unacknowledged Violence |publisher=Ref World|access-date=May 22, 2021}} Incumbent Governor, PDP's James Ibori won election for a second term, defeating ANPP's Lucky Oghene Omoru and four other candidates.{{Cite web |url=http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/2003/apr/22/072.html|url-status=live |title=PDP captures 27 states; ANPP-7; AD-1 l Obasanjo set for victory |date=April 22, 2003 |publisher=Biafra Nigeria World.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327221428/http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/2003/apr/22/072.html |access-date=May 20, 2021|archive-date=March 27, 2013 }}{{Cite web
|url=http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Nigeria_federal_states.htm
|title=Nigerian States
|publisher=World Statesmen
|access-date=2021-05-23| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100528072649/http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Nigeria_federal_states.htm| archive-date= 28 May 2010 | url-status= live}}{{Cite journal|publisher=Wiley Online Library|journal=Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series|volume=40|issue=4|pages=15255–15290|title=Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series, April 1st-30th 2003 Published May 29th 2003|date=May 23, 2003
|doi=10.1111/1467-825X.00177|url=https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-825X.00177|access-date=May 23, 2021|url-access=subscription}}{{cite web
|url=http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/06/08/20020608spe01.html
|title=SCORE-CARD!!!
|work=This Day
|date=2002-06-08
|access-date=2021-05-23
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621015143/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/06/08/20020608spe01.html
|archive-date=2007-06-21
}}{{Cite journal|author=Ehwarieme, William|title=Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: The Displacement of Ethnicity by Corruption in Nigeria's Electoral Politics|journal=Journal of Third World Studies|volume=28|issue=2|trans-title=ASPECTS OF THIRD WORLD DEVELOPMENT IN THE EARLY 21st CENTURY|date=Fall 2011|pages=181–206|format=JSTOR|publisher=University Press of Florida|jstor=45198651|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/45198651|access-date=May 27, 2021}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/12/delta-2015-guber-picks-pdp-ticket-tomorrow/|title=Delta 2015 Guber: Who picks the PDP ticket tomorrow?|date=December 7, 2014|publisher=Vanguard|author=Shaibu, Phrank|access-date=May 27, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.manpower.com.ng/people/15804/james-ibori|publisher=Manpower|title=James Ibori|access-date=May 27, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cfr.org/blog/nigeria-ibori-goes-jail|title=Nigeria: Ibori Goes to Jail|author=Campbell, John|date=April 19, 2012|publisher=CFR|access-date=May 27, 2021}}
James Ibori emerged winner in the PDP gubernatorial primary election. His running mate was Benjamin Elue.{{Cite web|url=https://blerf.org/index.php/biography/elue-chief-benjamin-s/|title=ELUE, Chief Benjamin S.|website=Blerf|date=January 25, 2017 |access-date=May 27, 2021}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/02/ibori-okowa-utuama-elue-others-storm-oghara/|title=IBORI: Okowa, Utuama, Elue, others storm Oghara|date=February 6, 2017|author1=Amaize, Emma|author2=Ahon, Festus|author3=Omafuaire, Gab Ejuwa Akpokona|author4=Brisibe, Perez|author5=Olayemi, Paul|location=Oghara|publisher=Vanguard|access-date=May 27, 2021}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.deltastate.gov.ng/okowa-congratulates-benjamin-elue-at-80/|title=Okowa congratulates Benjamin Elue at 80|publisher=Delta State Government|access-date=May 27, 2021}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/nigeria/thisday/20180814/282033328031785|title=Consultative Meeting|date=August 14, 2018|publisher=ThisDay|website=Press Reader|access-date=May 27, 2021}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/nigeria/thisday/20210217/281998970164951|title=Encomiums as Okowa's Father is Laid to Rest|author=Onabu, Omons-Julius|date=February 17, 2021|publisher=ThisDay|website=Press Reader|access-date=May 27, 2021}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PDoIDEXdZwkC&dq=Benjamin+Elue+2003+deputy&pg=PA159|title=Nigeria: Echoes of a Century: Volume Two 1999-2014|author=Azikiwe, Ifeoha|date=2013|page=159|isbn=9781481729291|access-date=May 27, 2021}}{{Cite news|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/200312090430.html|title=Nigeria: Alumni Association Honours Vanguard Editor, Others|date=December 9, 2003|publisher=Vanguard|location=Lagos|author=Ogwuda, Austin|website=All Africa|access-date=May 27, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://rainbownigeria.com/2020/10/08/state-governors-and-their-deputies/|title=State Governors and Their Deputies|author=Emmanuel, Odang|website=Rainbow Nigeria|access-date=May 31, 2021}}
Electoral system
The Governor of Delta State is elected using the plurality voting system.
Results
A total of six candidates registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission to contest in the election.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamji.com/aluko/aluko46.htm |title=NIGERIAN ELECTIONS 2003: Update 006: Nigerian Presidential & Gubernatorial Candidates |last=Aluko |first=Mobolaji E. |date=February 23, 2003 |publisher=Gamji |access-date=May 20, 2021}} Incumbent Governor, PDP's James Ibori won election for a second term, defeating five other candidates.{{Cite web |url=https://nigeriaworld.com/focus/states/governors2003.html |title=Nigerian State Elected Governors 2003 |publisher=Nigeriaworld |date=September 6, 2003 |editor=Odili, Chuck E. |access-date=May 20, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61586.htm|title=Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor 2005
|date=March 8, 2006|publisher=US Department of State|access-date=May 22, 2021}}{{Cite web|url= https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/53451/Nyam_Analysis_2015.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
|title=AN ANALYSIS OF THE 2003 AND 2007 ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA|author=Aondowase, Nyam|year=2015|format=PDF|access-date=May 22, 2021}}{{Cite journal|author=Onoja, Adoyi|title=Nature, Character and Outcomes of Post Election Challenges in Nigeria|journal=Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria|volume=18|date=2009|pages=79–104|publisher=Historical Society of Nigeria|jstor=41854929|format=JSTOR|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41854929|access-date=May 23, 2021}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-40012427|title=Convicted Nigerian fraudster James Ibori wins £1 from UK|date=May 23, 2017|publisher=BBC News|access-date=May 27, 2021}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/features-and-interviews/177648-analysis-in-delta-zoning-key-in-guber-contest-between-okowa-ogboru-others.html|title=ANALYSIS: In Delta, zoning key in guber contest between Okowa, Ogboru, others|author=Owete, Festus|date=February 27, 2015|publisher=Premium Times|access-date=May 27, 2021}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.waado.org/nigerdelta/Politics/2011_elections_nigeria/april_2011/delta_state_elders_forum_uduagha.htm|title=WHY WE MAY NOT SUPPORT DR. EMMANUEL EWETA UDUAGHAN IN THE DELTA STATE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION|date=April 24, 2011|publisher=Wadoo|access-date=May 27, 2021}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-17184075|title=James Ibori: How a thief almost became Nigeria's president|publisher=BBC News|author=Walker, Andrew|date=February 27, 2012|access-date=May 27, 2021}}
The total number of registered voters in the state was 1,607,337. However, only 56.44% (i.e. 907,251) of registered voters participated in the exercise.{{Cite web |url=https://dawodu.com/aluko50.htm |title=What Happened in the South-West – The Myth of Massive Repudiation & Enthusiastic Acceptance |author=Aluko, Mobolaji E. |location=Burtonsville, MD, USA |date=May 25, 2003 |publisher=Dawodu.com |access-date=May 19, 2021}}{{Cite journal |url=https://web.ccsu.edu/afstudy/upd11-4.html |title=The 2003 Elections in Nigeria: Views from a Policy Maker |author=Akinyele, T. A. |journal=Africa Update |publisher=CCSU |volume=XI |issue=4 |date=Fall 2004 |access-date=May 20, 2021}}
{{Election results
|cand1=James Ibori|party1=People's Democratic Party (PDP)|votes1=1038607
|cand2=Lucky Oghene Omoru|party2=All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)|votes2=
|cand3=Emma Okocha|party3=All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)|votes3=
|cand4=Great Ogboru|party4=Alliance for Democracy (AD)|votes4=
|cand5=Joshua Emene|party5=United Nigeria People's Party (UNPP)|votes5=
|cand6=Moses Kragha|party6=National Democratic Party (NDP)|votes6=
|invalid=
|electorate=1607337
|source=Gamji, Africa Update, Dawodu
}}