APC/PDP set for another battle to control states in 2023 election

By Emmanuel Uffot

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are once again set for another royale battle for the control of no fewer than 30 states and FCT in next year governorship election.

Both have since 2015 after the mega merger that midwived APC as the major opposition party, stood out to be the major contenders on election in Nigeria’s multi-party system structure.

The duo, ahead of next year gubernatorial election slated for March 11,2023 and another in November same year will be battling to either take over states currently in control by their rival or retain states in their control.
As at the time of this report, the ruling party controls- Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Kogi, Kebbi, Yobe, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Plateau, Kwara, Imo, Jigawa, Zamfara, Ebonyi, Nassarawa, Borno,Kano and Cross River.

For the PDP, the states in its kitty currently are- Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Abia, Bauchi, Adamawa, Edo, Benue, Taraba, Oyo, Sokoto, Enugu and Gombe.
These brings to 21, the states controlled by APC and 14 those of PDP. Anambra is in control by All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Instructive, as at the end of party primaries for the governorship ticket for the two major political parties, the underlined emerged as their flagbearers in the 28 states that governorship election is slated for March 11, 2023.

PDP
Akwa Ibom- Pastor Umo Eno, former Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources.

Adamawa- Ahmadu Fintiri, incumbent governor.

Abia- Prof. Eleanor Ikonne, former Vice Chancellor Abia State University.

Jigawa- Mustapha Lamido, son of Sule Lamido former former governor of the state.

Kwara-Yahmah Abdullahi, former member House of Reps.

Bauchi- Ibrahim Kashim, former SSG.

Sokoto- Saa’du Umar, former SSG.

Enugu- Peter Mbah.

Plateau- Caleb Mutfwang, former Local Govt Chairman Mangu LGA.

Kaduna- Isah Ashiru Kandan, former guber candidate of the party in 2019.

Borno- Mohammed Jagari.

Rivers- Fubara Siminialayi, former state Accountant General.

Lagos- Olajide Adediran, advocate of Lagos 4 Lagos movement.

Gombe- Jibrin Barde.

Nassarawa- David Ombugadu, former member State House of Assembly.

Delta- Sheriff Oborevwori, former Speaker State House of Assembly.

Yobe- Sheriff Abdullahi.

Benue- Titus Uba.

Ogun- Segun Sowunmi.

Kano- Mohammed Abacha, son of late Gen. Sani Abacha.

Kebbi- Major Gen. Aminu Bande rtd.

Cross River- Sandy Onor.

Niger- Liman Kantigi.

Katsina- Yakubu Lado.

Zamfara- Dauda Lawal.

Oyo- Seyi Makinde, incumbent governor.

Taraba- Kefas Agbu, former PDP chairman in the state.

For the ruling APC, a roll call of their governorship candidates for next year election are,
Akwa Ibom- Akanimo Udofia. But his candidacy is questioned, both by state INEC and in court by 2 fellow aspirants, Senator Ita Enang and Augustine Utuk.

Adamawa- Senator Aishatu Bunani, only female in the race who defeated former EFCC boss Nuhu Ribadu.

Abia-Ikechi Emenike, an economist. Uche Ogah, former minister of State for Mines and Solid Minerals had emerged in a parallel primary.So like Akwa Ibom, dark clouds still hovering on who is the authentic flagbearer.

Rivers- Tony Cole, CEO of Sahara Energy who was also the party candidate in 2019.

Gombe- Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, incumbent governor.

Bauchi- Sadique Abubakar, former Chief of Staff to the governor.

Taraba- Emmanuel Bwacha, former deputy Senate Majority leader.

Nassarawa- Sule Abdullahi, incumbent governor governor and former CEO of African Petroleum.

Enugu- Uche Nnaji.

Ebonyi- Ogbonna Francis Nwifuru, former Speaker State House of Assembly.

Cross River- Senator Bassey Otu, has been in the National Assembly since 2003. House of Reps, 2003-2011, senate, 2011 till date.

Borno- Babagana Zulum, incumbent governor.

Plateau- Nentanwe Yilwatda, former Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue.

Kano- Nasir Gawuna, deputy governor of the state endorsed by governor Umar Ganduje.

Katsina- Dikko Radda, former DG Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency ( SMEDAN).

Kebbi- Nasiru Idris, former President Nigerian Union of Teachers(NUT).

Zamfara Bello Mattawalle, incumbent governor.

Jigawa- Umar Namadi, deputy governor of the state.

Yobe- Mai Mala Buni, former national caretaker chairman of APC.

Lagos- Babajide Sanwo- Olu, incumbent governor.

Ogun- Dapo Abiodun, incumbent governor.

Kano- Senator Uba Sani, representing Kano Central.

Niger- Umar Bago, member representing Chanchaga Federal Constituency.

Delta- Senator Omo- Agege, deputy Senate president.

Kwara- Abdullahi Abdulrasaq, incumbent governor.

Benue- Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia, Catholic Priest of Catholic Diocese of Gboko. Was suspended by Bishop of the Diocese for dabbling 8nto politics. He defeated the likes of former PDP national chairman Barbara’s Germade and former Attorney General of the Federation Mike Aondoaka.

Consequently March 11, governorship election of March 11, 2023 will be conducted in 27 states and one in Kogi state on November 2023.

It is worthy of note that the forthcoming governorship election in first quarter of next year will not be conducted in Imo, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo, Anambra, Osun and Kogi because they are off season due that the eventual winners were decided by the court.

However, ahead next year election, a cursory look at the states controlled by the two major parties in focus shows that, the ruling party maintains strong hold in North East, North West, North Central and South West, while PDP strong hold is in South South and South East. But both parties going by last election and latest defections by the governors have made inroads into all the 6 geo- political zones.

For instance, Ebonyi state governor Dave Umahi and his Cross River counterpart Professor Ben Ayade were elected on the platform of PDP but defected recently to APC. Their defection which political pundits asserted had to do with their failed presidential ambition came after Zamfara governor who also was elected under PDP earlier defected last year APC.

However apart from the two mentioned parties that have structures across the country, other parties out of the 18 registered in INEC books are also making strong noise which could see them giving the two major parties a good contest in some states where they appear to be making strong imprint. Apart from APGA that has Anambra as its base, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, promoted by Rabiu Kwakwanso, Labour Party which has Peter Obi as its presidential candidate, Social Democratic Party which has strong base in South West, Young Progressives Party, African Democratic Congress with Omoleye Sowore, African Alliance having Major Al- Mustapha and Peoples Redemption Party where Kola Abiola, eldest son of June 12 election presumed winner MKO is flying their flags as presidential candidates are expected to make a point in Kano, Borno and the South West in the coming election.