PDP might lose Rivers, 4 others as full list of at-risk States emerge

With less than 24 hours to the much-anticipated gubernatorial polls, all 18 registered and approved political parties will slug it out for the number one administrative seat of their respective states.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 28 out of the 36 states will have a gubernatorial election.

However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will seek to retain the 14 states it already controls. In this short piece, Legit.ng examined the states where PDP might grip and falter during the gubernatorial polls.

1. Oyo state

This might seem surprising to many people, but Oyo state has a long history of creating upset since the advent of democracy in Nigeria.

Governor Seyi Makinde's escapades with Governor Nyesom Wike in formulating the G5 governors crew as a faction of the PDP could tell on him at the governorship polls.

The PDP performed woefully at the senatorial and house of representatives polls as the opposition party had a clean swoop at the senatorial election.

Possible Outcome: APC to win

2. Rivers state

Just like we saw at the presidential polls, there was a series of shocking losses that will forever remain legendary in the electoral history of Nigeria. PDP sweeping Kaduna and Katsina and Labour Party clinching victory in Lagos state was the talk of the town.

All three strongholds belong to the ruling party and three mighty politicians, which included President Muhammadu Buhari.

In Rivers state, it could be no different due to the political strength of the opposition candidate, Tonye Cole of the APC, who is believed to be more popular, affluent and charismatic than his counterpart in the PDP, Siminalayi Fubara.

Possible Outcome: APC to win

3. Abia State

The southeast is a dreaded zone for the PDP due to the Obidient wave popularised by Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. At the presidential and house of assembly polls, the Labour Party had a clean swoop.

They are willing to replicate it at the gubernatorial election with foremost economist Alex Otti.

Possible Outcome: Labour Party to win

4. Enugu State

This is another state where PDP's control has declined drastically after the Labour Party dominated it at the presidential polls.

The incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who is in his final tenure, lost his attempt at the senatorial district election.

However, former minister of information Frank Nweke of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) looks to be in a prime position to win the race.

Possible Outcome: APGA to win

5. Benue State

Another intriguing battleground for the PDP is the middle-belt giant, Benue state. Despite being under the control of the PDP, Governor Samuel Ortom will have to go the extra mile to ensure that power remains in the party's grip.

Governor Ortom, who rounds up his tenure as governor in a couple of months, was hit with a shocking defeat at the senatorial polls by his archrival and former subordinate, Titus Zam of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Possible Outcome: APC to win