The 2023 Delta State gubernatorial election is set to be a highly anticipated event in Nigeria. On 18 March 2023, Delta State will determine its next Governor and members of the Delta State House of Assembly. Incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is term-limited and cannot seek re-election. As the election approaches, the question on everyone’s mind is, which political party is leading in Delta State?
The major political parties, including the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC), have held their primaries and nominated their candidates. The fierce competition between these parties has intensified as they vie for the top spot in Delta State’s political landscape.
Join us as we delve into the current standings of the political parties in Delta State, the background of Delta State politics, and the potential outcomes of this highly contested election.
Delta State Political Parties and Candidates
The political landscape in Delta State is primarily dominated by two major parties: the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). These parties have nominated their respective candidates for the upcoming gubernatorial election.
The PDP has chosen Sheriff Oborevwori as its candidate for the governorship position. Oborevwori, currently serving as the Speaker of the House of Assembly, has a strong political background and is expected to draw support from within the party’s ranks.
Alternatively, the APC has nominated Ovie Omo-Agege as its candidate for the top political post in Delta State. Omo-Agege, a sitting senator representing Delta Central, brings his experience and political influence to the race.
While the PDP and the APC dominate the political landscape in Delta State, minor parties such as the Labour Party and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have also fielded candidates. However, these parties face an uphill battle in terms of challenging the strongholds of the major parties.
Current Delta State Party Rankings
| Party | Candidate |
|---|---|
| People’s Democratic Party (PDP) | Sheriff Oborevwori |
| All Progressives Congress (APC) | Ovie Omo-Agege |
| Labour Party | TBA |
| All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) | TBA |
As the election draws nearer, candidates from each party are actively campaigning to garner support from the voters of Delta State. They are engaging with the electorate, highlighting their party’s ideologies, and outlining their plans for the development and progress of the state. The Delta State party rankings will undoubtedly shift and evolve as the election unfolds, making it an intriguing political landscape to watch.
Overview of the Delta State Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released partial results of the governorship election in Delta State. As of now, the race is closely contested between Sheriff Oborevwori of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Ovie Omo-Agege of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Here is an overview of the current standings:
| Political Party | Number of Local Government Areas Won |
|---|---|
| PDP | 12 |
| APC | 2 |
Out of the 14 local government areas that have been announced so far, Sheriff Oborevwori of the PDP has secured victory in 12 areas, while Ovie Omo-Agege of the APC has won in two areas.
These results indicate a strong performance by the PDP in the Delta State election, with a significant lead over the APC. However, it is important to note that these are partial results and the final outcome is yet to be declared by INEC.
It is worth mentioning that Delta State has a total of 3,221,687 registered voters, out of which 710,829 voters have been accredited to participate in the election.
“The current standings in the Delta State election show a strong performance by the PDP, securing victory in 12 out of 14 local government areas announced so far.” – INEC
This image provides a visual representation of the current party standings in Delta State.
Background of Delta State Politics
Delta State, located in the South-South region of Nigeria, is a diverse state with a rich political landscape. Known for its abundant oil reserves, the state holds significant economic importance and is considered one of the wealthiest in the country. However, Delta State has been plagued by numerous challenges, including frequent oil spills, environmental degradation, and cult violence. These issues can be attributed to years of systemic corruption, which have hindered the state’s progress.
In terms of politics, Delta State has been traditionally dominated by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP has consistently secured the majority of seats in the Delta State House of Assembly and held two senate seats, indicating their political party dominance in the region. However, in recent years, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has made significant gains in Delta State. In the 2019 elections, the APC won one seat in the federal House of Representatives, showcasing their growing presence in the state’s political landscape.
Despite the PDP’s historical dominance, the APC’s emergence as a competitive political force in Delta State has brought about a more dynamic political environment. This shift in power structure has introduced a healthy competition and the potential for a more balanced representation of political ideologies within the state.
Party Primaries and Nominees
The party primaries for the Delta State gubernatorial election took place between April and June 2022. During this period, the major political parties in Delta State, namely the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), nominated their candidates for the upcoming election.
On May 25th, the PDP officially nominated Sheriff Oborevwori as its candidate for the gubernatorial race. Oborevwori, a highly experienced and influential figure in Delta State politics, currently serves as the Speaker of the House of Assembly. His nomination was met with enthusiasm from PDP loyalists, who appreciated his strong leadership and extensive knowledge of the political landscape in Delta State.
“Sheriff Oborevwori’s nomination represents the PDP’s commitment to promoting experienced and capable candidates who can effectively address the issues that matter most to the people of Delta State. With his in-depth understanding of the challenges facing our state and his proven track record of effective governance, Oborevwori is a strong contender in this election.”
– PDP supporter
On the other hand, the APC nominated Ovie Omo-Agege as its gubernatorial candidate on May 26th. Omo-Agege, a senator representing Delta Central, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his time in the legislative branch. His nomination was seen as a strategic move by the APC to build support and leverage the influence of Delta Central, one of the key senatorial districts in the state.
“Ovie Omo-Agege’s nomination demonstrates the APC’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and giving voice to all regions of Delta State. With his dedication to serving the people and his vision for a prosperous and united Delta State, Omo-Agege has the potential to bring about positive change during his tenure as governor.”
– APC supporter
The party primaries were closely watched by political observers, as they were viewed as a proxy battle between outgoing Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and former Governor James Ibori. Both Okowa and Ibori supported different candidates, adding a layer of intrigue and intensity to the primaries.
| Party | Candidate |
|---|---|
| People’s Democratic Party (PDP) | Sheriff Oborevwori |
| All Progressives Congress (APC) | Ovie Omo-Agege |
Electoral System in Delta State
The Governor of Delta State is elected using a modified two-round system. 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 the state’s local government areas to be elected. If no candidate meets this threshold, a second round will be held between the top two candidates. The election is highly competitive, with the leading political party in Delta State aiming to secure victory by gaining the majority of votes across the state’s local government areas.
The electoral system in Delta State is designed to ensure that the winning candidate has broad support across different regions. By requiring the leading political party to secure the majority of votes in multiple local government areas, the system promotes a fair representation of the diverse interests within the state.
Key Features of the Electoral System:
- A modified two-round system is used for the election of the Governor of Delta State.
- 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 the state’s local government areas.
- If no candidate meets the threshold in the first round, a second round will be held between the top two candidates.
- The leading political party in Delta State aims to secure victory by gaining the majority of votes across the state’s local government areas.
“The electoral system in Delta State plays a crucial role in ensuring a fair and representative democratic process. By requiring candidates to have broad support across multiple local government areas, the system encourages political parties to appeal to a wide range of voters and address the diverse needs and interests of the people of Delta State.” – Political Analyst
This electoral system serves as a mechanism to prevent a candidate or political party from winning solely based on concentrated support in a few areas. It encourages candidates to reach out to voters from different local government areas, promoting inclusivity and a more representative government.
Comparison of Electoral Systems
Let’s compare the electoral system in Delta State to other electoral systems used around the world:
| Electoral System | Country/Region | Main Features |
|---|---|---|
| First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) | United Kingdom | An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins. |
| Proportional Representation (PR) | Germany | An electoral system that aims to reflect the proportion of votes each political party receives by allocating seats proportionally. |
| Single Transferable Vote (STV) | Ireland | An electoral system that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, ensuring the most popular candidates are elected. |
The electoral system in Delta State strikes a balance between FPTP and PR systems. While it maintains the winner-takes-all element of FPTP, the requirement for candidates to secure a certain percentage of votes in multiple local government areas promotes a fairer representation of voter preferences.
Outlook for the Delta State Election
The Delta State gubernatorial election is currently underway, and the final results are eagerly awaited by the political parties and candidates. Based on the partial results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sheriff Oborevwori, is currently leading in the race. Oborevwori has secured victories in 12 out of the 14 local government areas that have been announced so far.
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Ovie Omo-Agege, is also putting up a strong fight and has emerged as the winner in two local government areas. The competition between the PDP and the APC is intense, as both parties aim to secure victory and shape the local governance of Delta State for the next term.
The final results of the Delta State election will determine which party takes the lead in the state and influences the political landscape moving forward. The political party standings will have far-reaching implications for the residents of Delta State, as the elected governor and members of the Delta State House of Assembly will play a crucial role in shaping policies and addressing the challenges faced by the state.