PDP, ACN, CPC, others in supremacy battle.

Fashola, Amaechi, Ogboru, Suswam, Masari, Ladoja, Aliyu, Amosun and Ugbah

After months of electioneering laced with intrigues, Nigeria electorate will file out to elect those who will pilot the affairs of government for the next four years in 24 states in today’s governorship election. No less than 200 governorship candidates are vying in the election to occupy 24 Government Houses. Of the lot, 19 incumbent governors are in the race. Many of the governorship candidates failed to even campaign while several of them are only in the race by virtue of handful of campaign posters. As such, nothing much is expected from them in today’s all-important election. Five major political parties – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) – are in the race.
Abia: Orji’s show


Abia State has one of the highest numbers of governorship candidates in today’s election. There are 18 governorship candidates for the election. But of the lot, only the incumbent governor, Theodore Orji of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stands out. The opposition parties are not coordinated. Initially, Comrade Chris Akomas of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) was thought to pose a serious challenge to the incumbent given the support of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu. But the defeat of Kalu in his senatorial bid has dampened Akomas’ chances. The state has a voting population of 1,524,484. Verdict: Orji has a better chance of returning to his seat.
Akwa Ibom: Akpabio versus Udoedehe


In the oil-rich Akwa Ibom State, the governorship contest is a straight fight between the incumbent Governor Godswill Akpabio of the PDP and Senator John Akpan Udoedehe of the ACN, although there are 12 other candidates in the race. In the National Assembly and presidential elections, the PDP maintained its grip on the state. But the ACN put up a good fight winning one House of Representatives seat in Uyo Federal Constituency. Indeed, the real contest is between the two former political soul mates. Udoedehe was the director general of the Akpabio Campaign Organisation in 2007 but the two later parted ways. Incumbent factor is to the advantage of Akpabio. Also the use of government machinery and heavy financial war chest to prosecute today’s election may give Akpabio an edge over the ACN governorship candidate. 1,616,873 registered voters will ultimately determine who emerges as the governor of the state in the next four years. Verdict: Akpabio is most likely to win in today’s election.
Benue: Ugbah square up to Suswam


Though there are 12 governorship candidates in Benue State, today’s contest will be a straight fight between Governor Gabriel Suswam of the PDP and Prof. Steven Ugbah of the ACN. The pillars of support for the two candidates are at one time members of the PDP. Ugbah is being backed by immediate past governor of the state, Senator George Akume, former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu, former PDP national chairman, Audu Ogbeh among others. Ugbah has more of his support from the Tiv-speaking area. Suswam is relying on his performance as yardstick for his re-election. He believes he has scored a pass mark. Incumbency factor is also to his advantage. The coordinator of Goodluck/Sambo presidential campaign in the North Central is also banking on the incumbency factor, the control of the government machinery at all levels in the state and the massive resources at his disposal. The Senate President, David Mark, is also providing needed support for the governor while the traditional rulers are also backing the incumbent. Verdict: Suswam has slim advantage over Ugbah.
Borno: Will Sheriff deliver for ANPP?


Today’s election presents another opportunity for Governor Ali Modu Sherrif to redeem his political fortune. Sheriff lost in his bid for a senatorial seat. His party, ANPP, lost two senatorial seats to the PDP. The CPC also won the presidential election in the state. There are three main candidates in the election. Kashim Shetimma, a bankerturned politician is the ANPP candidate in the state. He was a commissioner in different ministries under the administration of Sheriff. Shetimma emerged as the ANPP candidate after the assassination of the former candidate, Hon. Modu Fannami. Alhaji Mohammed Goni, the first executive governor of old Borno State is the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the state while Mustapha Baba Shehuri, a member of the House of Representatives, is flying the banner of the CPC. Going by the result of the National Assembly elections, PDP and ANPP are the parties to do the battle today. CPC didn’t win any seat in the National Assembly elections in the state. The people of the state only voted for the CPC because of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate, in the presidential poll. Religious factor will play a crucial role in today’s election in Borno State. Sheriff is leaving no stone unturned to install a protégée as Borno governor. There are 2,380,957 registered voters in the state. Verdict: A fight between PDP and ANPP.
Delta: Uduaghan battles Ogboru again


Delta State has one of the highest numbers of governorship candidates for the election. There are 23 governorship candidates in all. Of the lot, much is expected from the incumbent, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan(PDP) and his arch rival, Great Ogboru of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP). Other governorship candidates only exist on papers. Ogboru has contested and lost the governorship election on three occasions. He contested against Chief James Ibori in 2003 and twice against Uduaghan in 2007 and in the January 6 rerun election. Ogboru is loved by Deltans and the elite are rooting for him. The Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has endorsed Ogboru and he has directed his kinsmen and supporters to vote for him in the election. Clark had supported Ogboru at the three occasions, but this has not translated to electoral victory. The DPP candidate may spring a surprise given the performance of his party at the National Assembly elections, winning one senatorial seat and some House of Representatives seats. One factor that has been militating against Ogboru is paucity of fund to run his campaign. Uduaghan is in control of the PDP structure in the state while all the council chairmen are the ones charged with the responsibility of delivering their councils to the governor in today’s election. The governor unlike Ogboru has a lot of resources at his disposal that has been deployed to prosecute the election. Delta has 2,032,191 registered voters. Verdict: Ogboru will try, but Uduaghan is likely to win.
Ebonyi: Easy ride for Elechi


The opposition parties are not posing any threat to the re-election of Governor Martin Elechi (PDP) in Ebonyi State. Although there are nine governorship candidates in the race, it seems the opposition have given up in their quest to unseat the incumbent. The only visible candidate is Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), but he is unlikely to make any significant impact at today’s poll. The voting population of Ebonyi is 1,050,534. Verdict: A comfortable win for Governor Elechi.
Enugu: A fait accompli for Chime


Going by the outcome of the National Assembly and presidential elections in Enugu State, the governorship election in the state may be a one-way contest. The PDP won all the National Assembly seats and recorded 98 per cent of the votes cast in the presidential election. The party has been in control of the state since 1999. Governor Sullivan Chime’s return bid is a fait accompli. Although there are 14 governorship candidates in today’s contest, the reality on the ground is that the opposition political parties are non-existent. Even the humiliating defeat of former governor of the state, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, who contested for his return bid to the Senate on the platform of the People for Democratic Change (PDC) was an indication that no party has the wherewithal to confront the PDP in the state. Chief Okey Ezea of the Labour Party (LP) and Dr. Dan Shere of the PDC will pick some pockets of votes from the 1,303,155 registered voters in today’s election. Verdict: Chime is most likely to win.
Gombe: PDP battle CPC


In Gombe State, there are six candidates vying for the governorship but three major candidates are really serious about succeeding Governor Mohammed Danjuma Goje who has served out his two terms. Goje is positioning Ibrahim Dankwanbo, the former Accountant General of the Federation to succeed him. Dankwanbo is the PDP candidate for the election. The other two serious contenders are ANPP’s Senator Saidu Kumo and CPC’s Abubakar Aliyu. Goje is a strong-willed politician who has not given the opposition a space in the state. He is bound to do all within him to ensure PDP wins majority of the expected 1,318,377 votes in the state. Verdict: The state may go in the way of PDP.
Imo: D-day for Ohakim, Okorocha and Araraume


There are 18 candidates that are angling to unseat Governor Ikedi Ohakim in Imo State. This is one of the volatile states for today’s election. Three main candidates have shown seriousness for the contest – Ohakim (PDP), Owelle Rochas Okorocha (APGA) and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume (ACN). In the National Assembly and presidential elections, PDP still maintained its lead in the state while APGA picked one senatorial seat. Violence cannot be ruled out in the state because the stake is high. All the three governorship candidates are influential and bent on winning the poll. The state has 1,687,293 registered voters. Verdict: The election will go the way of Ohakim or Okorocha.
Jigawa: Lamido for re-election


In the National Assembly elections, PDP won overwhelmingly in Jigawa State while the CPC won the presidential poll in the state. Governor Sule Lamido is facing serious opposition from the CPC candidate, Hon. Farouk Aliyu, and his predecessor, Senator Saminu Turaki who lost his return bid to the Senate and backing the ACN candidate, Muhammed Abubakar. The governorship candidates will depend on the choice of the 2,013,974 registered voters in the state to emerge winner in today’s election. Verdict: Lamido is still on the winning side.
CPC, PDP, ANPP battle for Kano


The governorship election in Kano State promises to be interesting. Three major parties are in the race: PDP, ANPP and CPC. Former governor of the state and Defence Minister, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwanso is the PDP candidate, Salihu Takai is the standard bearer of the ANPP while former military governor of Kaduna State, Col. Jafaru Isa (Rtd), is the CPC candidate. Having failed to realise his presidential ambition, Governor Ibrahim Shekarau has in the last few days been mobilising for the ANPP governorship candidate, Takai. But the performance of the ANPP in the National Assembly and presidential elections in the state has affected the fortune of the party as it has been on the receiving end of the PDP and CPC in the state. The PDP was ahead of the ANPP in the National Assembly elections winning two senatorial seats and 12 House of Representatives seats leaving ANPP with one senatorial seats and eight House of Representatives seat. The CPC did not win any seat in the election, but led the pack in the presidential election. The CPC was expected to win the election but the last minute change of Mohammed Abacha, the initial CPC candidate whose candidature was upturned by the court, will ultimately affect the party’s fortune today. Kano has the second highest number of registered voters in the country. The state has 5,027,297 registered voters. Voters’ apathy will affect the turnout in today’s election. Verdict: The contest is dicey, but a contest of CPC, PDP and ANPP.
Katsina: Will Buhari deliver for CPC?


The routing of the PDP in both the National Assembly and presidential elections in Katsina State by the CPC has become a source of concern to Governor Ibrahim Shema. The three senatorial seats were won by the CPC, 12 of the 14 House of Representatives seats contested for were also won by the CPC. There are 10 governorship candidates for the election in the state. But the focus is principally on PDP’s Shema and CPC’s Aminu Masari. Dr. Usman Bugaje of the ACN is also a candidate of note, but his party’s performance during the last National Assembly and presidential elections has deemed his chances at the poll in the state. His party did not win any seat at the election. Governor Shema of the PDP has expressed confidence that he would win his re-election bid today. He has deployed a lot of resources to ensure he emerges victory today. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the CPC presidential candidate, is not leaving anything to chances to ensure that his party wins the state. The internal crisis within the party might affect its chances. The party had Senator Yakubu Lado Danmarke as its gubernatorial flag bearer until Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja ruled in favour of his rival and former Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari. If the two past elections are parameters to go by, then the CPC has a good chance over the ruling PDP to clinch the gubernatorial seat in the state. There are 3,126,898 registered voters in the state. Verdict: CPC ahead of PDP.
Kebbi: Yar’Adua’s in-law for second


term Governor Usman Dakingari may have an easy ride to return to the Government House in Kebbi State as the other 14 governorship candidates are not posing any threat to his re-election. Dakingari, a son in-law to the late former President Yar’Adua, ensured that the PDP won all the senatorial seats in the state even with the senatorial loss of his successor and former Minister of Federal Capital territory (FCT), Senator Adamu Aliero (CPC). Abubakar Abubakar, the CPC governorship candidate, is the major opponent to Governor Dakingari. Abubakar is unlikely to go far in today’s election. Kebbi has 1,638,308 registered voters. Verdict: Dakingari is sure of winning the poll.
Kwara: Sarakis fight for supremacy


In spite of the motley of 15 governorship candidates in the Kwara governorship contest, the focus is on three candidates – Fatai Ahmed (PDP), Dele Belgore (ACN) and Gbemisola Saraki (Allied Congress of Party of Nigeria, (Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN). Governor Bukaola Saraki is backing the PDP candidate while his father, Dr. Olusola Saraki has thrown his weight behind his daughter, Gbemi. Indeed, the governorship contest has caused acrimony in the Saraki family. A win for Governor Saraki’s candidate, Ahmed, is a defeat for his father. 1,152,361 registered voters will determine the fate of the candidates. Verdict: PDP is likely to retain his seat.
Lagos: Fashola and Dosunmu test might


If not for the cries of the ACN that the PDP is planning to rig the governorship election in Lagos State, the general belief has always been that Governor Babatunde Fashola will emerge in today’s election. Even at that the Lagos populace still believe that Fashola is still the man to beat. The only opponent that ACN has in the state is the PDP candidate, Dr. Ade Dosunmu. But the PDP as it presently constituted does not have the structure and resources to dislodge Fashola in the state. Although the PDP won overwhelmingly in the presidential election in the state, but the chances of the party recording similar feat in the governorship poll is very remote. Dosunmu believe he has the potential to take Lagos to greater heights having spent all his life in public service. Nothing is expected from the other 13 governorship candidates who even failed to campaign. Lagos has 6,108,069 registered voters. Verdict: Fashola towers above other candidates.
Nasarawa: Almakura tackles Doma


Although there are nine governorship candidates participating in today’s election, the battle for the soul of Nassarawa State is being fought between the candidates of the ruling PDP, Governor Akwe Aliyu Doma, and Tanko Almakura of CPC. Doma and Almakura are very popular and command huge followership in the state. Governor Doma has the support of the traditional rulers, council chairmen, enormous resources and incumbency factor to his advantage. Almakura will give the governor a tough fight. He is likely to pull surprises in today’s election. The 1,389,308 registered voters will determine their fate in today’s election. Verdict: Too close to call.
Niger: Aliyu contends with CPC


Even with the loss of the PDP to CPC in the presidential election in Niger State, Governor Babangida Aliyu is still considered as the candidate to beat in today’s election. There are five other governorship candidates challenging the incumbent, but three – Abu Bawa Bwari (ACN), Barrister David Umaru (ANPP), Alhaji Shetima Bello (CPC) – are outstanding. Aliyu still enjoys the support of prominent stakeholders in the state and the incumbency factor is also to his advantage. His party won majority seats in the National Assembly elections. The state has 2,175,421 registered voters. Verdict: Aliyu ahead of other candidates.
Amosun, Olurin, Isiaka battle for Ogun


The governorship election in Ogun State will be fought among Senator Ibikunle Amosun (ACN), Chief Adetunji Olurin (PDP) and Gboyega Isiaka (Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN). There are 20 candidates participating in the election. The internal crises in the PDP leading to exit of some of its members to the PPN, including Isiaka, will affect the fortune of the party in today’s election. The ACN won the National Assembly while the PDP won the presidential elections in the state. If there is a repeat of performance in the National Assembly election then Ogun might soon become an ACN state. But politics is full of intrigues. There have been a lot of moves by the PDP to retain the state in the last few days. Verdict: ACN may win.
Oyo: Will Akala survive the onslaught?


Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala will today contend with his predecessor and Accord Party candidate, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, and Senator Abiola Ajimobi of the ACN for the governorship contest. Fifteen governorship candidates will be participating in the election. ACN is the party to beat in the state going by the performance of the party in the National Assembly elections and its acceptability by the people of the state. Verdict: Ajimobi is likely to win.
Plateau: Jang against deputy


Plateau is the only state where the incumbent, Governor Jonah Jang, and his deputy, Mrs Paullen Tallen, are contesting against each other in today’s governorship election. Prominent politicians are supporting Tallen in the election while state machinery is behind the governor. There are 2,259,194 registered voters in the state. Verdict: Jang ahead.
Rivers: All for Amaechi


The Rivers State governorship election is crowded with 28 candidates. The highest ever heard of but the majority of the governorship candidates are mere mentioning in the local media. Three major candidates are serious for the poll; Governor Rotimi Amaechi (PDP), Celestine Omehia (APGA) and Dr. Abiye Sekibo (ACN). Amaechi is the candidate to beat in today’s election in Rivers State. He has the structure, incumbency factor, enormous resources and performance to his side. The state has 2,429,231 registered voters. Verdict: Amaechi is most likely to win.
Taraba, Zamfara, Yobe


Governor Danbaba Suntai (PDP) has Senator Danlami Ikenya (ACN) to contend with in Taraba State. There are other nine candidates in the race, but going by the results of the National Assembly and presidential elections in the state, the incumbent is sure of retaining his seat. In Zamfara, Governor Mahmud Shinkafi will find it difficult to win today’s election. There are 16 governorship candidates in the race. The ANPP dominated the National Assembly elections in the state, winning two senatorial seats and majority of the House of Representatives seats. Shinkafi’s former boss, Senator Sanni Yerima (ANPP) is the arrowhead of the opposition since the governor defected from the ANPP to the PDP. Shinkafi’s major opponent is Abdul-Aziz Yari Abubakar, the governorship candidate of the ANPP. Yobe is the only state that is still in the firm grip of the ANPP. The party won all the seats in the National Assembly elections. Governor Ibrahim Geidam is likely to retain his seat.

Culled from NationalMirror
Story by ; Ayodele Ojo.