2015 ELECTIONS: OVER 300 JOSTLE FOR 29 GOVERNORS’ SEATS Category: Lead stories Published on Monday, 06 October 2014 05:02 Written by Andrew Agbese, with state correspondents Hits: 1237 .Benue tops with 26; Borno, Enugu have fewest At least 300 aspirants have indicated interest to seek nomination of their political parties to run for governor in 29 states in next year’s election, according to a tally compiled by Daily Trust correspondents. Governorship elections are scheduled for February 28 in 29 states where the terms of the incumbents are expiring in May. Most of the aspirants are in the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), which together control all but 1 state. PDP has slated its governorship primaries for October 29, while APC’s hold on November 15. A state-by-state tally compiled by Daily Trust correspondents show that Benue has the highest number of governorship aspirants with 26, while two states having the lowest number are Enugu and Borno with 4 each. Others are Kebbi (23 aspirants), Bauchi (23), Imo (22), Katsina (19), Kwara (18), Plateau (18), Cross River (16), Delta (15), Nasarawa (14), Akwa Ibom (14), Lagos (13), Ogun (13), Oyo (11), Sokoto (10), Kaduna (10), Kano (10), Niger (10), Taraba (9), Rivers (8), Zamfara (7), Adamawa (7), Gombe (5) and Yobe (5). Our correspondents report that the numbers may change as the primaries approach, as more aspirants are likely to emerge especially if they are propped up by outgoing incumbents or other powerful backers. Some of the aspirants are also likely to drop out after testing the waters. There are 28 registered political parties but apart from PDP and APC, the only other parties in which there are governorship aspirants at present are the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP), Accord Party and Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM). A few other parties may still filed candidates. Among the gubernatorial aspirants in the states, there are 11 incumbents seeking re-election for a second and final term. Some 18 state governors are in their second terms and are constitutionally barred from running again. Our correspondents report that generally each party records high number of aspirants in a state where people believe it is popular, or where it has an outgoing incumbent. But this is not necessarily true of the APC- controlled states of the South West and North West, as they still have high number of PDP aspirants. Some states, especially in the North-East and North-Central, have about the same numbers of APC and PDP aspirants. In Katsina and some others, only a few have indicated interest from the ruling party, as most others are apparently waiting for the outgoing incumbent to make an endorsement. In states whose governors are in their first terms, the party in control generally has few or no other aspirants apart from the incumbent. This is the case in Gombe and Kwara. A crowded field In Sokoto, the four obvious aspirants in PDP are Deputy Governor Mukhtari Shagari, Senator Abdallah Wali, Senator Abubakar Umar Gada and Alhaji Yusuf Sulaiman. Those in APC are Senator Umaru Dahiru, Alhaji Faruk Malami Yabo, Alhaji Yushe’u Kebbe, Barrister Aliyu Abubakar Sayyinna and Ibrahim Dambuwa. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, is rumoured to be a potential APC guber aspirant even though he is now a member of the PDP. In Kano, APC has retired Col. Lawal Jafaru Isa, Deputy Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Senator Kabir Gaya, Rep Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, Alhaji Rabiu Suleiman Bichi and Alhaji Salihu Sagir Takai. PDP’s gubernatorial aspirants in Kano are Mohammed Abacha, Risqua Murtala and Dr Akilu Indabawa. In Kaduna, PDP aspirants include Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, Jimmy Nabaida Dung, Hassan Felix Hyat, Air Commodore John Bako Ajeye (rtd) and Haruna Zego Aziz. APC has Isah Ashiru, Malam Nasir el-Rufa’i, Mr James Bawa Magaji, Salihu Mohd Lukman and Haruna Saeed Kajuru. For Rivers State PDP, there are Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike, Nimi Walson-Jack, Tonye Princewill and Elemchukwu Ogbowu. APC, for its part, has Senator Magnus Abe, Rep Dakuku Peterside and Otelemaba Dan Amachree. In Katsina, the PDP aspirants are Ibrahim Muhammad Idah , Umar Abdullahi Tsauri Tata, Alhaji Sunusi Dan Bello Na Adiyalle, Kabir Abdullahi Barkiya, Ahmad Aminu Yar’Adua, Eng. Nura Khalil, Arch. Musa Sada, Musa Adamu Funtua and Nasiru Umar Dutsima. APC aspirants are Alhaji Aminu Masari, Senator Sadiq Yar’Adua, Senator Abu Ibrahim, Senator Kanti Bello, Col. Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Mannir Yakubu, Abubakar Ismaila, Dr. Usman Bugaje, Alhaji Sada Ilu and Alhaji Garba Aminci. In PDM, Senator Yakubu Lado to stand for Katsina governor. In Niger State, PDP has Deputy Governor Ahmed Musa Ibeto, Sen. Nuhu Aliyu, Alhaji Moh’d Bawa Rijau, Alhaji Matane, Dr. Mustapha Abdulsalam, Engr. Mustapha Bello and Alhaji Mohammed Babangida. In APC, there are Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, Sen. Musa and Barr. David Umaru. For Yobe, APC has Governor Ibrahim Gaidam and Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad, while PDP has Dr. Yerima Ngama, Alhaji Ibrahim Talba and Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri. In Kwara, PDP has Mr. Dele Belgore, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Professor Oba Abdulraheem, Architect Kale Belgore, Senator Mokanjuola Sulaiman Ajadi, Senator Simeon Ajibola, Mr. Ben Duntoye, Engr. Sunday Babalola, Chief John Dara, Chief Yekeen Alabi, Mr. Bio Ibrahim and Malam Shuaib Abdullahi. In APC, only Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has indicated interest so far. But other names being mentioned as likely contenders are former minister Bolaji Abdullahi, Speaker Razaq Atunwa, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, Rep. Ali Ahmad and Rep. Zakari Mohammed. In Bauchi, PDP governorship aspirants include FCT Minister Bala Mohammed, Deputy Senate Leader Abdul Ningi, Senator Babayo Garba Gamawa, Dr Musa Babayo, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, Barrister Ahmed Ibrahim Dandija, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Alamin, Alhaji Mohammed Nadada Umar, Alhaji Magaji Udubo, Senator Abubakar Maikafi, Barrister Haruna Umar, Senator Baba Tela and Alhaji Shehu Gabam. Those in APC are Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, Barrister Mohammed Abubakar, Engineer Sadiq Mahmud, Senator Suleiman Gamawa, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Engineer Nuhu Gidado and Abdullahi Tanko Ningi. In Plateau State, PDP’s aspirants include Deputy Governor Ignatius Longjan, Senator Victor Lar, Mr Jethro Akum, John Clark Dabwan, Engr. Jimmy Chetto, Sir Fidelis Tapgun, Arch John Alkali, Haruna Dabin, Prof. Longmas Wapmuk, Prof Sonni Tyoden, Mr Samson Jidauna Dimka, Godfrey Miri, Sen Gyang Pwajok and Bisjop Musa Wuyep. In APC, the guber aspirants include Prof Emmanuel Garba, Barr Solomon Dalung, Sen. John Shagaya and Mr Simon Lalong. In Borno, APC has Governor Kashim Shettima and Mohammed Imam, while in PDP there are Alhaji Gambo Lawan and former Governor Mohammed Goni. In Lagos State, those eying the APC ticket include Akinwunmi Ambode, Dr. Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Dr. Muiz Banire, Dr. Leke Pitan, Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Senator Ganiyu Solomon. Those in the PDP include Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Dr. Segun Ogundimu, Chief Tunde Daramola, Mr. Ade Dosunmu, Engineer Adedeji Doherty and Mr. Jimi Agbaje. In Nasarawa, those in the PDP guber aspirants include Mr Labaran Maku, Aliyu Akwe Doma, Senator John Danboyi, Senator Solomon Ewuga, Dameshi Barau Luka, retired Col. Jibrin Bala Yakubu, Michael Abdul, Shaibu Kore and Musa Oseni. In APC, there are Governor Umaru Tanko Al- Makura, Group Captain Zakka Zacharia, Mr. Stanley Buba, Dr. Usman Mandula and Dr. Hassan Lawal. In Ogun, the governorship aspirants in the PDP are Sikirulai Ogundele, Kayode Amusan, Ishaq Akinlade, Segun Adewale, Anthony Ojeshina, Rafiu Ogunleye and Sina Kawonise. LP has Sarafa Ishola, Yanju Lipede, Akeem Adesina, Gboyega Isiaka, while APC has Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Remi Bakare. For Zamfara State, Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar is so far the only known APC aspirant. Those contesting for the PDP ticket are former Governor Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, Rep. Bello Mutawalle, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, Alhaji Sagir Hamidu and Alhaji Bashir Adamu. In Oyo, Governor Abiola Ajimobi so far remains the only APC aspirant, while the Accord Party (AP) has former Governor Rasheed Ladoja. The PDP has former Governor Christopher Alao-Akala, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Engr. Seyi Makinde, Professor Soji Adejumo, Senator Teslim Folarin, Hazeem Gbolarumi, Elder Wole Oyelese, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan and Dr. Gbola Adetunji. In Kebbi, the governorship aspirants in PDP include Deputy Governor Ibrahim K.Aliyu, Sen Mohammed Magoro, Sen. Tanko Ayuba, Bala Na’Allah, Gen Muhammadu Dan’Hanne Isah, Alhaji Zubairu Turaki, Mansir Shehu Mansa, Alh Hussani Adamu, Bala Kaoje, Alh Sama’ila Sambawa and Elder Ishaku Daudu. In APC, there are Abubakar Atiku Bunu, Abubakar Chika Malami, Ahmed Mohammed Sama, Salihu Isah Nataro, Bala Musa Sakaba, Malam Bukhari Bello, Mohammed Nasir Sala Koko, Sadeeq Sule Iko-Sami, Suleiman Mohammed Argungu, Rtd Col Inuwa Bawa and Sadiq Yelwa. PDP governorship aspirants in Akwa Ibom are Umana Okon Umana, Nsima Ekere, Obong Bassey Albert, Ime Bassey Albert, Benjamin Okoko, Udom Emmanuel, Barrister Asukwo Okpo, Engr. Larry Esin, Engr. Michael Onofiok, Barr. Ekpeyong Etekim. APC’s aspirants are Barr. Effiong Abia, Mr Effiong Usin, Senator Helen Esuene and Mr John Udoedehe, In Taraba, PDP has Acting Governor Garba Umar, Chief David Sabo Kente, Senator Joel Ikenya, Minister of State for Niger Delta Arch Darius Ishaku, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, Agbu Kefas and Ezekiel Irimiya. APC has Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan and Dr. Jonah Wachap. In Benue State, those in the PDP include Dr. Samuel Ortom, Chief Steven Lawani, Terhemba Tarzoor, Hingah Biam, Sam Ode, Dave Iorhemba, Engr. Roseline Ada Chenge, Barrister Harris Paul Ogbole, Tivlumun Nyitse, Barr. Alex Adum, Mike Aondoakaa, Terhemba Shija, Peter Chieshe, Mathias Oyigeya, Andy Uwuokwu, Eugene Aliegba, Felix Atume, Prof. David Ker, Prince Simon Aondona, Simon Anchaver, Engr. David Nongo, Samuel Utov and Madam Veronica Shimave. APC aspirants in Benue are Rep. Emmanuel Jime, Akange Audu and Senator Joseph Waku. In Cross River, PDP aspirants include, Prince Godwin Jedy-Agba, Mr Patrick Ugbe, Mr Legor Idagbo, Mr Francis Bullem, Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo, Larry Odey, Barr Mike Anniah, Dr Julius Okpotu, Chief Peter Ojie, Mr Peter Oti, Mr. Gerald Adah and Mr Fidel Egoro. APC has Barr Lazarus Izabi-Undie, Mr Odey Ochita and Mr Benjamin Emuchie. In Enugu, the four aspirants who are all in the PDP are Senator Ayogu Eze, Eugene Odoh, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Chinedu Onoh. In Adamawa, the PDP incumbent Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri may still be in contention even though he has agreed not to contest again. Others are Senator Abubakar Girei, Malam Nuhu Ribadu and Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong. In the APC, there are Mr Emmanuel Bello, Alhaji Ibrahim Mjinyawa and Senator Jibrilla Bindo. In Imo, PDP aspirants include Sen. Ifeanyi Araraume, Rep. Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Mr Bethel Amadi, Charles Onyeagbako, Humphrey Anumudu, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, Prof. Jude Njoku, Lady Clara Njoku, Chief Charley Amanze, Engr. Emma Ojinere, Chief Chris Brown Amadioha, Chief Charles Onuoha, Dr. Ngozi Olehi, Chief Ken Ojiri, Barr. Ken Njemanze and Chief Benjamin Nzimako. Governor Rochas Okorocha is the only APC aspirant so far. Capt. Emmaneul Iheanacho and Chief Osmondu Imo Ukanacho are aspiring for the APGA and UPPA tickets. -DAILYTRUST
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 05:45:37 +0000
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