2019 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS: THE TOUGH CONTESTS
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Joseph Omoniyi
Today March 9, 2019, Nigerians will elect governors across 29 states. Elections will not hold in Bayelsa, Ekiti, Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Kogi and Osun, because their tenure began from the day they were sworn in. While the contests for the governorship seats are relatively a matter of ‘easy pizzy’ for some candidates, the battle has turned to a tough contest in a couple of states, with two or three major candidates which makes the outcome difficult to predict.
In Ogun, the three major contenders, APC’s Dapo Abiodun, Buruji Kashamu of the PDP and Adekunle Akinlade of APM. Many would have thought the APC will practically return to this seat relatively without a serious challenge, but the complexities were created after their controversial primaries which birthed the APM, whose candidate is openly supported by the incumbent, Ibikunle Amosun who still clams to be a member of the APC.
In Oyo, recent dramatic events where different factions of some members of some opposition parties were seen endorsing either of the APC or PDP candidates after money allegedly exchanged hands, has made the election a two horse race between Adebayo Adelabu (APC) and Seyi Makinde (PDP). Interestingly, both candidates are from Ibadan. Makinde has the support of the Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy, Akin Fasogbon and former governor of the State, Rasheed Ladoja who collapsed his political structure to endorse the PDP candidate, despite their historical political differences. Remember Ladoja broke out of PDP. Makinde was also able to woo three other governorship candidates, Sharafadeen Ali of Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, Femi Lanlehin Of the African Democratic Congress, ADC and Bolaji Ayorinde of the Social democratic Part, SDP.
However, in a counter-political move, not less than 13 political parties threw their weight behind Adedibu late Thursday night. The principal of these endorsements can only be said to be, another former governor, Ala Akala who hails from Ogbomoso, where he has never lost.
In Lagos, the contest is majorly between Babjide Sanwo-Olu, the new political godson of former governor and APC chieftain, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and PDP’s Jimi Abaje. Although many political analysts think Sanwo-Olu stands the better chance due to his experience, political family and strategies. Agbaje who contested against the incumbent in 2015 poses a threat no matter how little. If not, APC would have no need to put such ‘efforts’ in their campaigns considering their structure, ‘performance’ and ‘imcumbency’, to the extent of dashing out Sanwo-Olu rice to Lagosians ‘who are not hungry’. The recent import of the political mantra “o to ge” (enough is enough) from Kwara, by those who are self-convinced that Tinubu has enslaved Lagos and thereby needs freedom.
Rivers’ may best be descibed as war as the real battle is between the incumbent, Nyesom Wike of the PDP and former governor of the State, Rotimi Amaechi. Although the Supreme Court has banned the APC from participating in the election and also nullified the candidacy of Accord Party’s Dunno Briggs, they havenow endoresed AAC’s candiddate, Biokpomabo Awara all in a bid to outst Wike a former political protégé to Amaechi.
Other states of interests include, Kwara; PDP’s Rasak Atunwa versus Abdulrazaq AbdulRahaman of APC. Many political pundits believe it is a ‘gone game’ game for PDP’s candidate, because Saraki’s wings have been clipped. In Kano, it is a battle between Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of APC and Abba Yusuf of PDP. In Kano Governor Nasir El Rufai’s ambition to return to the state government house faces a threat in PDP’s Isah Aasiru who is a political heavyweight in the state. In sokoto, it’s a contest between PDP’s Aminu Tambuwal and his former deputy, Ahmed Aliyu of the APC. In Imo, its another where the 3-contenders race was created by intra party crisis. The contest is among APC’s Hope Uzodinma, Uche Nwosu of the Action Alliance, who has the backing of the outgoing governor, Rochas Okorocha and PDP’s Emeka Ihedioha who is a strong grassroot politician in the state.
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