6 Nigerian State Governors Who Might Become Senators in 2023
- It's the year 2021 but the 2023 general elections in Nigeria is already a trending topic
- In 2023, many Nigerian governors will be rounding up their two terms as state executives
- Already, some serving Nigerian governors are gearing up to be senators to remain relevant in the scheme of things
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As the 2023 general elections approach, a number of serving governors are already gearing up to contest for senatorial seats in their states.
The movement of governors to the Senate is now a norm in Nigerian politics as the state executives see the National Assembly as a retirement home.
For some others, getting a seat in the red chambers keeps them in the scheme of things both in local and national politics.
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Legit.ng lists the governors who are most likely to end up as senators in 2023.
1. Ifeanyi Okowa
Dr. Okowa is a medical doctor turned politician. He is one of the shining lights of the Peoples Democratic Party. A decent politician and a perfect gentleman, he will most likely be returning to the Senate for the second time. Okowa was a member of the 7th Senate where he was the chairman of the Senate committee on health.
2. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
The Enugu state governor is not new to parliamentary politics as he was a former member of the House of Representatives. Due to his admirable performance in office, it is likely the people from his senatorial district will make a case for him to return to the National Assembly, that is if the governor does not seek a higher office.
3. Abdullahi Ganduje
The Kano state governor will be rounding up his second term in office in 2023. A Ph.D. holder, Ganduje has done well in infrastructural development, changing the face of a hitherto chaotic Kano city centre. The governor will likely leverage on his performance to push for a seat in the Nigerian Senate.
4. Abubakar Sani Bello
The Niger state governor will likely give the Nigerian Senate a shot in 2023. For Bello, age is still on his side and he still retains the goodwill that brought him to office, especially the support from the elders of the state who have a say in who gets what in the north-central state.
5. Okezie Ikpeazu
Abia state has not been fortunate with state executives since 1999 until Ikpeazu came in 2015 and began to gradually change the narrative with pro-poor policies and a huge focus on the state's untapped commerce sector. Although some still refer to him as a rookie in politics, Ikpeazu is finishing strong and might end up being rewarded with a Senate seat.
6. Udom Emmanuel
The banker-turned politician has proven to be a fantastic administrator, thorough professional, and an unrepentant technocrat changing the face of governance in Nigeria. In Akwa Ibom, Governor Emmanuel is on the lips of everyone. He is investing in a state with huge potentials and ensuring that the state is self-sustainable when he leaves office. A Senate seat in 2023 is likely for him.
Jerrywright Ukwu is an Abuja-based senior political/defence correspondent at Legit.ng. He is a graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos and the International Institute of Journalism in Abuja. He is also a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. He spends his leisure-time reading history books. He can be reached via email at jerrywright39@yahoo.com.
Source: Legit.ng
