2023 Kogi State gubernatorial election

The Governor of Kogi 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.

Kogi State is a diverse state in the North Central with a large number of mineral resources but facing an underdeveloped agricultural sector, deforestation, and low vaccination rates.

Politically, the state's early 2019 elections were described by a swing towards the APC as the party was mainly successful, unseating almost all PDP senators and house members to sweep most House of Representatives and two senate seats as the state was won by APC presidential nominee Muhammadu Buhari with over 54%. The House of Assembly election also was a win for the APC as the party won every seat in the assembly. The November election ended similarly with Bello winning election to a second term and the APC gained a senate seat in a rerun election; however, both elections were riddled with irregularities and electoral violence.

In Bello's second inaugural address in 2020, he declared that his second term would highlight agricultural development, increasing employment, and improving the state's revenue.{{cite web |last1=Akubo |first1=John |last2=Obansa |first2=Ibrahim |title=Yahaya Bello takes oath of office, urges support |url=https://guardian.ng/politics/yahaya-bello-takes-oath-of-office-urges-support/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=18 April 2022 |location=Abuja and Lokoja |date=28 January 2020}} Performance-wise, Bello was commended for gender inclusion in his cabinet{{cite web |last1=Lawal |first1=Ahmid |title=Liberian VP lauds Bello for surpassing 35% gender inclusion |url=https://www.blueprint.ng/liberian-vp-lauds-bello-for-surpassing-35-gender-inclusion/ |website=Blueprint Newspaper |access-date=18 April 2022}} but his term was immensely controversial as he was criticized for inciting electoral violence,{{cite web |last1=Olatunji |first1=Haleem |title=Gov poll: Yahaya Bello takes violence-charged ‘ta-ta-ta-ta chant’ to Ondo |url=https://www.thecable.ng/gov-poll-yahaya-bello-takes-violence-charged-ta-ta-ta-ta-chant-to-ondo |website=TheCable |access-date=6 September 2021}} autocratic actions,{{cite web |title=Ranking Nigerian Governors, February, 2020: Top 5, Bottom 5 |url=https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/ranking-nigerian-governors-february-2020-top-5-bottom-5/ |website=Ripples Nigeria |access-date=18 April 2022 |quote=We recall that Bello, in the desperation to expel Achuba from his government, failed to respect the rule of law, especially the no guilty verdict returned by the seven-man committee constituted by the state Chief Judge Justice Nasir Ajana to investigate the former deputy governor.}} lies about COVID-19 and vaccines,{{cite web |title=Ranking Nigerian Governors, March, 2020: Top 5, Bottom 5 |url=https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/ranking-nigerian-governors-march-2020-top-5-bottom-5/ |website=Ripples Nigeria |access-date=18 April 2022 |quote=Yahaya Bello of Kogi State gets a bottom five mention on account of some reckless pronouncements regarding measures the state government was taking to control the spread of the coronavirus.}}{{cite web |title=Nigerian Governors: Fumbling, wobbling dominate June 2020 performance |url=https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/nigerian-governors-fumbling-wobbling-dominate-june-2020-performance/ |website=Ripples Nigeria |access-date=18 April 2022 |quote=The continued denial of the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kogi State by Governor Yahaya Bello has confounded even the worst of skeptics in the land. This denial has become the past time of the governor despite confirmation of cases of the virus in the state by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Apart from the consistent denial, Governor Bello has also continued to cast doubts on the reality of the pandemic in the country, claiming it was an artificial creation meant to drive fear and panic in the minds of the public. It is regrettable that because of this, the average man in the state continues to live in denial of the pandemic.}}{{cite web |last1=Onyeji |first1=Ebuka |title=COVID-19: Governor Yahaya Bello makes ‘false’ claims about ‘mass testing’ in Kogi |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/433689-covid-19-governor-yahaya-bello-makes-false-claims-about-mass-testing-in-kogi.html |website=Premium Times |access-date=18 April 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Ufuoma |first1=Vincent |title=NGF distances self from comments made by Yahaya Bello on COVID-19 vaccines |url=https://www.icirnigeria.org/ngf-distances-self-from-comments-made-by-yahaya-bello-on-covid-19-vaccines/ |website=International Centre for Investigative Reporting |access-date=18 April 2022}} and further corruption allegations.{{cite web |last1=Princewill |first1=Nimi |title=Gov. Bello allocates suspicious N9bn for COVID-19 while denying virus exists |url=https://gazettengr.com/gov-bello-allocates-suspicious-n9bn-for-covid-19-while-denying-virus-exists/ |website=Peoples Gazette |access-date=18 April 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Olufemi |first1=Alfred |title=INVESTIGATION: Kogi govt spent N90 million on a N300,000 software |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/451147-investigation-kogi-govt-spent-n90-million-on-a-n300000-software.html |website=Premium Times |access-date=18 April 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Joshua |first1=Benneth |title=Civil Society Groups, PDP, Others Want Yahaya Bello Prosecuted Over Alleged Diversion of N300 Billion |url=https://thewhistler.ng/civil-society-groups-pdp-others-want-yahaya-bello-prosecuted-over-alleged-diversion-of-n300-billion/ |website=The Whistler |access-date=18 April 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Olufemi |first1=Alfred |title=INVESTIGATION: Kogi farmers excluded from billions of naira ‘spent’ on COVID-19 recovery |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/474447-investigation-kogi-farmers-excluded-from-billions-of-naira-spent-on-covid-19-recovery.html |website=Premium Times |access-date=18 April 2022}}{{cite web |title=N20bn Bailout Loan: Court freezes Kogi govt’s account |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/482328-n20bn-bailout-loan-court-freezes-kogi-govts-account.html |website=Premium Times |access-date=18 April 2022}}

The primaries, along with any potential challenges to primary results, will take place between 27 March and 17 April 2022. While no formal zoning agreement is in place, groups from Kogi West Senatorial District (specifically some groups representing the Okun people) have called for the governorship to be zoned to their district with the justification of no elected governor having come from Kogi West beforehand.{{cite web |last1=Iroanusi |first1=QueenEsther |title=2023: Kogi West Elders demand governorship seat, reject deputy position |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/480180-2023-kogi-west-elders-demand-governorship-seat-reject-deputy-position.html |website=Premium Times |access-date=13 September 2021}}{{cite web |title=We've Been Marginalised For Over 30 Years — Kogi West Residents Seek To Clinch 2023 Governorship |url=http://saharareporters.com/2021/08/26/weve-been-marginalised-over-30-years-%E2%80%94-kogi-west-residents-seek-clinch-2023-governorship |website=Sahara Reporters |access-date=13 September 2021}} On the other hand, groups from Kogi Central Senatorial District (specifically some groups representing the Ebira people) are pushing for the office to be retained by their district by claiming that Kogi East Senatorial District held the office for over four terms and thus Kogi Central should as well.{{cite web |last1=Omololu Agbana |first1=Ralph |title=Kogi 2023: Possibilities, speculations and manipulations |url=https://guardian.ng/politics/kogi-2023-possibilities-speculations-and-manipulations/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=25 November 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Agbana |first1=Ralph |title=Kogi West demands complete power shift come 2023 |url=https://guardian.ng/politics/kogi-west-demands-complete-power-shift-come-2023/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=19 April 2022 |date=19 April 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Agbana |first1=Ralph |title=Kogi guber 2023: Politicians eyeing Bello’s seat |url=https://guardian.ng/politics/kogi-guber-2023-politicians-eyeing-bellos-seat/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=6 May 2022}}

Ahead of the APC primary, major questions were asked about which candidate would receive the endorsement of Bello to be his successor. However, after the May 2022 primary for federal positions resulted in several losses for Bello loyalists, new questions emerged over Bello's waning control of the state party.{{cite web |title=POST-MORTEM: 47 votes from 63 delegates — is Yahaya Bello losing grip of Kogi APC? |url=https://www.thecable.ng/post-mortem-47-votes-from-63-delegates-is-yahaya-bello-losing-grip-of-kogi-apc |website=TheCable |access-date=24 June 2022}}

{{Excerpt|2023 Bayelsa State gubernatorial election|All Progressives Congress|paragraphs=1|hat=no}}

• Smart Adeyemi: Senator for Kogi West (2007–2015; 2019–present){{cite web |last1=Mudashir |first1=Ismail |last2=Salau |first2=Abdullateef |title=10 Senators Eyeing Gov’ship Seats In 2023 |url=https://dailytrust.com/2023-10-senators-eyeing-govship-seats |website=Daily Trust |access-date=10 July 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Akinsuyi |first1=Temidayo |title=2023: Yahaya Bello Okays Smart Adeyemi As Successor |url=https://independent.ng/2023-yahaya-bello-okays-smart-adeyemi-as-successor/ |website=Independent Nigeria |access-date=11 July 2021}}
• Abdulkareem Mohammad Jamiu: Chief of Staff to Governor Bello (2019–present){{cite web |last1=Oluokun |first1=Ayorinde |title=Group warns Igala politicians working against power shift to Kogi East |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/10/20/group-warns-igala-politicians-working-against-power-shift-to-kogi-east/ |website=P.M. News |access-date=24 November 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Agba |first1=George |title=Yahaya Bello’s Chief Of Staff Joins Kogi Guber Race |url=https://leadership.ng/yahaya-bellos-chief-of-staff-joins-kogi-guber-race/ |website=Leadership |access-date=19 February 2023}}
• Abiodun Faleke: former House of Representatives member for Ikeja (Lagos State) (2011–present) and 2015 APC deputy gubernatorial nominee
• Jibril Momoh: state Accountant General{{cite web |last1=Adeuyi |first1=Seun |title=Kogi: Friends, Associates Pick APC Governorship Form For Momoh Jibril |url=https://dailytrust.com/kogi-friends-associates-pick-apc-governorship-form-for-momoh-jibril/ |website=Daily Trust |access-date=23 February 2023}}
• Ahmed Usman Ododo: state Auditor-General for Local Government
• Sanusi Ohiare: former Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Agency{{cite web |last1=Agba |first1=George |title=Ex-REA Executive Director Joins Kogi Guber Race |url=https://leadership.ng/ex-rea-executive-director-joins-kogi-guber-race-2/ |website=Leadership |access-date=23 February 2023}}
• Yakubu Oseni: Senator for Kogi Central (2019–present){{cite web |title=Kogi Guber Race: Senator Oseni Picks Intent, Nomination Forms |url=https://kogireports.com/kogi-guber-race-senator-oseni-picks-intent-nomination-forms/ |website=Kogi Reports |access-date=24 March 2023}}
• Salami Ozigi-Deedat: Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs{{cite web |last1=Folorunsho-Francis |first1=Adebayo |title=Yahaya Bello’s commissioner, auditor general join Kogi governorship race |url=https://punchng.com/yahaya-bellos-commissioner-auditor-general-join-kogi-governorship-race/ |website=The Punch |access-date=20 February 2023}}
• Murtala Ajaka

• Dayo Akanmode{{cite web |title=2023 Kogi Gov’ship: Akanmode Promises To Bridge Disconnect Between Govt And People |url=https://kogireports.com/2023-kogi-govship-akanmode-promises-to-bridge-disconnect-between-govt-and-people/ |website=Kogi Reports |access-date=24 June 2022}}

• Toba Adebayo: former Bello administration official
• Jibrin Isah: Senator for Kogi East (2019–present) and 2011 and 2015 PDP gubernatorial candidate
• Mukadam Asiru Idris: Commissioner of Finance
• Babatunde Irukera: 2015 and 2019 APC gubernatorial candidate and CEO of the FCCPC
• Khalifa Abdulrahman Okene: 2019 APC Kogi Central senatorial candidate
• Edward David Onoja: Deputy Governor (2019–present)

[https://ebirareporters.com/2023/04/14/kogi-apc-governorship-candidate-ahmed-usman-ododo/ Ahmed Usman Ododo] won the election and emerged flagbearer of the party for the election.

{{Excerpt|2023 Bayelsa State gubernatorial election|People's Democratic Party|paragraphs=1|hat=no}}

• Yomi Awoniyi: former Deputy Governor and son of former Senator Sunday Awoniyi{{cite web |last1=Akinfehinwa |first1=John |title=2023 guber poll: Kogi ex-Deputy Gov, Awoniyi picks PDP nomination form |url=https://dailypost.ng/2023/02/05/2023-guber-poll-kogi-ex-deputy-gov-awoniyi-picks-pdp-nomination-form/ |website=Daily Post |access-date=6 February 2023}}

• Murtala Ajaka: 2023 SDP gubernatorial Flagbearer His Running mate Sam Abenemi, have both resolved to unite kogites with the slogan ONE KOGI FOR MURISAM. website - www.murisam2023.com, their twitter account @murisam2023, facebook murisam sdp.
• Natasha2019 SDP Kogi Central senatorial nominee
• Abubakar Idris: son of former Governor Ibrahim Idris
• Dino Melaye: 2019 PDP gubernatorial candidate and former Senator for Kogi West (2015–2019)
• Musa Wada: 2019 APC gubernatorial nominee and brother of former Governor Idris Wada

[https://ebirareporters.com/2023/04/16/dino-melaye-wins-pdp-ticket/ Dino Melaye] won the election and emerged flagbearer of the party.

{{Excerpt|2023 Imo State gubernatorial election|Electoral timetable|hat=no}}

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{{Cite web |date=2023-11-11 |title=Kogi state governorship election result 2023 update: How Ahmed Usman-Ododo beat Dino Melaye and odas wey bin wan take over from Yahaya Bello |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/cmlp9j8ljxgo |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=BBC News Pidgin}}

The results of the election by senatorial district.

The results of the election by federal constituency.

The results of the election by local government area.

{{notelist}}

• 2023 Nigerian elections
• 2023 Nigerian gubernatorial elections

{{reflist}}

{{2023 Nigeria elections}}

{{Elections in Kogi State}}

{{Nigerian state and local elections}}

Gubernatorial

Kogi

Kogi State gubernatorial election

Category:Kogi State gubernatorial elections

Category:Election and referendum articles with incomplete results