High-stakes battle for 28 states brews as governorship, assembly campaigns kick off Wednesday - Businessday NG

…Parties, candidates yet to unveil campaign councils

…Nigerians demand issue-based campaigns, warn against violence

Political parties across the country are stepping up preparations for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections as campaigns officially kick off on Wednesday, with defections, internal crises, alliances, grassroots mobilisation and incumbency emerging as major factors in the contest.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed February 6, 2027 for the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, while the presidential and National Assembly polls will hold on January 16, 2027.

The governorship election will take place in 28 of the 36 states, with Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun excluded from the February governorship poll because of their off-cycle election calendars.