Residents of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States will head to the polls today for their off-cycle elections to elect their next governors.

These elections cover the South East, South South and North Central regions of Nigeria.

In Imo and Bayelsa, the incumbents are seeking re-election, while Kogi State is set to elect a new governor.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) aims to maintain power in Kogi and Imo States, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will strive to retain power in Bayelsa State.

Bayelsa has historically been a PDP stronghold since 1999 and quickly regained power after losing it in 2019 due to a Supreme Court verdict.

Governor Douye Diri, running for a second term under the PDP, faces major challengers: former Governor Timipre Sylva of the APC and Udengs Eradiri of the Labour Party (LP).

In Kogi State, the electorate will vote for a new state leader as Governor Yahaya Bello exits office after his two constitutional terms.

The APC candidate, Ododo Usman Ahmed, endorsed by the incumbent, competes against Murtala Yakubu Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dino Melaye of the PDP, and Leke Abejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In Imo, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had cleared 17 candidates for today’s governorship election.

Leading the pack are Governor Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party’s Athan Achonu.