As the parties try to calm frayed nerves after party primaries to elect candidates for 2015 elections, KUNLE ODEREMI writes on the unfolding drama in the various camps.
Like any major political contest, there was bound to be winners and losers at the party primaries conducted last week to pick candidates for 2015 elections. Some pundits had been specific on where major upsets were most likely to occur. Those observers had based their permutations on the calibre of the contestants, their background and experience, coupled with the pedigree of their backers. Contrary to some of those permutations, some aspirants were able to outright surprises in a number of places, as those highly-rated contestants were literarily made to kiss the canvass.
Again, there are varying permutations on the possible Plan B of the set of unsuccessful aspirants in the party primaries of both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The dust triggered by the outcome of the primaries rather than settle is creating a whirl wind in some camps within the parties. While some are adopting a wait-and-see attitude on the bid by the party leaders to calm frayed nerves, other aggrieved camps are threatening fire and brimstone following circumstances surrounding their ‘misfortune at the primaries. For instances, there is increasing loud protests in many state chapters, in spite of the fact that the parties have appropriate organs that the aspirants can seek redress over perceived injustice against them. Some contestants have even taken their parties to court as part of the fallouts of the primaries. In Ebonyi State, some PDP and APC leaders have reportedly defected to the Labour Party, following their displeasure with the outcome of primaries in their former parties. Senator Barnabas Gemade has stumbled out of the PDP to pick APC Senatorial ticket in Benue State, just as former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala has got the LP governorship ticket after an unsuccessful bid for PDP governorship ticket in Oyo State.
Expectedly, the primaries was preceded by all manner of permutations, ranging from near possibilities and to outright impossibilities; from the real to fantasies. Some pundits had listed such factors like power of incumbency, money politics, godfather syndrome as capable of informing the choice of delegates at the primaries. While some of those factors may have actually influenced the voting pattern at the intra-party elections, it was evident in a few instances that a number of the candidates emerged based almost on personal recognition and the amount of logistics they deployed to execute the governorship project. This is because of the seeming obscurity about their attachment to the whims and caprices of the established order and political godfathers.
Quite astounding in the PDP governorship primary election was the fate of four of the erstwhile ministers, who not long ago, resigned their appointments to join the governorship race in their respective states. Before their resignation, the authorities had given the ministers the opportunity for them to have a re-think over their plan to plunge headlong into the slippery race. Whereas a couple of the ministers reportedly kept their aspiration in ‘abeyance’, five others stuck to their guns. The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Waku, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Nwogu, Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu and Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro. The only one that appears to have survived the crucible of primaries is the former Minister of satte for Education, Nyesom Wike, who clinched the PDP ticket in Rivers State PDP.
The defeat of the others probably came as a surprise to many because of the general assumption before and even after the ministers had resigned that their candidature had the blessing of the Presidency and the PDP top hierarchy. It was assumed in certain quarters that their aspiration was like a done deal, as the authorities would not only guarantee automatic tickets for them by influencing the PDP primaries but would also deploy state machinery to support their ambition. One or two of the ministers had even used proxies to orchestrate a campaign that they were the anointed candidate of the Presidency , so their ambition was cut and dry, regardless of stiff opposition from rival camps in the PDP, especially in states that were under the control of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
But, the scenario was slightly different in other states, where there were PDP governors. It was apparent that there was no love lost between some Abuja-based politicians, and governors that are on the final stretch of their second term in office. Beside their individual aspirations to seek the PDP senatorial ticket, some governors did not pretend that they were interested in determining those that should succeed them in office next May as well as candidates for National Assemblies elections. The rivalry among the PDP major gladiators was corroborated by the governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, in an interview. “The party structure puts a lot of responsibility on governors in terms of organising the party at the state level, in terms of funding the party and in terms of ensuring that the party wins at the state level. And if you expect me to win for the party at the state level, as a governor, I must be interested in who is running for which seat-it must be someone that the party can market to win,” Uduaghan said.
It may be premature to give all the names that the defected ones could make the final list, as the aggrieved aspirants have begun to take their grievances to the parties electoral petitions mechanism for adjudication. While some are sulking after the defeat of their principals, others are engrossed in celebration after their triumph at the primaries. Another group appears to be in dilemma, following indications that the fate of their principals still hangs in the balance because of the possibility of their ‘candidates’ defecting to rival parties at a period considered as injury time in the match toward 2015.
From the overall results of the party primaries across the country, it is a mixed bag for different categories of the contestants, political godfathers and godsons in a number of states. In Kano state, Mohammed, the son of late head of state, General Sani Abacha, was humbled in his renewed bid to govern the state. His first effort was in 2011 when he sought the ticket of the then Congress for Progressives Change (CPC).
Mixed fortunes
A major upset was also recorded in Abia State, where the hitherto Minister of Labour , Chief Nwogu, was floored by Dr Okezie Ikpeazu. In fact, the former minister came a distant third in the primaries by polling mere 33 votes when compared to Ikpeazu’s 483, while another contender, Uche Ogar got 103 votes. Apparently, associates, friends and supporters of former information minister, Maku will be counting their losses after his unsuccessful attempt at securing the PDP ticket in Nasarawa. Dr Yusif Agabi won with 214 votes. Maku polled 160 votes, while the third aspirant, Aliyu Akwe scored 129 votes.
Erstwhile Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, who shared the glory of sending the Ebola Virus Disease from the shores of the country as quickly as possible, lost in Ebonyi State, as the state deputy governor, Dave Omahi coasted home to victory. The election was supervised by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti. The deputy governor got 541 votes to dust six other contenders for the ticket.
Obanikoro has since headed for court over trhe PDP ticket in Lagos State. His camp, which had given the notion that the contest as far as their principal was concerned, was indeed a foregone conclusion. According to them, his victory was literarily signed, sealed and delivered. So, it was the figment of their detractors that Obanikoro would crash out at that stage of the governorship contest, which now leaves Mr Jimi Agbaje as PDP candidate to face Mr Akinwumi Ambode of the APC in the next governorship poll proper in Lagos.
Perhaps more curious to some persons was the inability of Sir Anthony Obuh to clinch the PDP ticket in Delta State. He had been severally tipped to emerge because of what was perceived as the favourable disposition of the official quarters to his ambition. His bid, however, caved in to superior political calculations which resulted in the victory of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. Similarly, the acting governor of Adamawa State, Ngilari lost in his bid to possibly become a substantive governor via the next election in the state.
Conversely, the camps of the governors of Akwa Ibom and Enugu states can afford to roll out the drum as those touted as anointed candidates salivated the aroma of victory. A seasoned banker, Udom Emmanuel and a member of the National Assembly, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi secured PDP tickets in Akwa Ibom and Enugu states respectively.
The joy of celebration also radiated among the supporters of the deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Emeka ihedioha, who beat Ifeanyi Araraume and Ikedia Ohakim for the ticket in Imo State. But, some groups are kicking against the result. Ditto in Bayelsa and Adamawa.
Serving Senator from the Southern Kaduna Senatorial district of Kaduna State, Esther Nenadi Usman lost the bid to return to the National Assembly, as lost the ticket to Dr John Danjuma Laah who is aid to be a traditional title holder. However, Senator Ahmed Makarfi representing Kaduna North Senatorial zone won the primary unopposed. Senator Makarfi who is presently the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance is to face either Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed or Suleiman Hunkuyi of the All Progressive Congress. In the Kaduna Central zone, which is currently occupied by APC’s General Sani Saleh, a first-time Senator, Ahmed Mukhtar Aruwa is to be the flag bearer of the PDP after he defeated two other aspirants, Ahmadu Inuwa and Talatu Shehu.
For the Ekiti North senatorial district, the PDP ticket went to a former House of Representatives member, Mr Duro Faseyi after he reportedly defeated former Senator Ayo Arise. A former deputy governor of the state, Abiodun Olujimi, who was the deputy to Governor Fayose in 2005 to 2006, won the Ekiti South Senatorial primary after beating the former Senator who represented the zone between 2007 and 2011. Another former House of Representatives member, Mrs. Fatimat Raji-Rasaki, beat former Senator Bode Ola and former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Obafemi Adewale to win the PDP senatorial ticket for Ekiti Central senatorial district.
Senate President David Mark won the ticket for the Benue South Senatorial, after the withdrawal of his opponent, Chief Mike Onoja from the race. Chief Onoja, had shortly before the commencement of voting exercise withdrew from the race citing, “interest and unity of the Idoma nation” as part of his reasons. But the reported defeat of Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba in his fourth term bid the Cross River Central District by the member representing Obubra/Etung constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. John Owan-Enoh was the height of power tussle among various interests in the area prior to the PDP primaries. Owan-Enoh reportedly polled 217 votes to clinch the ticket.
In Oyo State, the lawmaker representing Ibadan North West/South West Constituency, Honourable Saheed Fijabi defeated Kola Ajadi, to secure APC ticket. But, Umar Farouk, who is a son of the late business mogul, AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao, was unsuccessful in his bid against Honourable Abiodun Awoleye.
Abia governor, Theodore Orji won the PDP Senatorial ticket for Abia Central, a similar feat achieved by Senator Enyinaya Abaribe and Mao Ohuabunwa for Abia South and Abia North respectively. Mao Ohuabunwa, who is a former member of the House of Representatives beat his closet rival, Chief David Ogba Onuoha by 103 to 67 vote, while the incumbent Senator, Uche Chukwumereije came a distant third with 21 votes. In Ebonyi, former Governor Sam Egwu secured the PDP Senatorial candidate for Ebonyi North Senatorial zone after defeating a former Minister of Power, Chief Goddy Ogbaga.
Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio won the PDP ticket for the Ikot Ekpene senatorial district incumbent Senator Etok, following his withdrawal from the race.
In Ogun, the chairman of the Organising and Mobilisation Committee of the PDP, Prince Buruji Kashamu secured the Senatorial tickets for Ogun East, after defeating two other aspirants: Taiwo Akintan and Dayo Oriola. Senate Committee Chairman on Maritime Transport, Senator Zaynab Abdulkadir Kure won the ticket for Niger South Senatorial district, while in Niger East Senatorial primary, the state governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu won.
Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang won the ticket for Plateau North Senatorial districtwhile Senator Joshua Dariye secured the ticket for Plateau Central Senatorial Zone.But on Kwara, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Razak Atunwa and former Minister of State for Health, Princess Funke Adedoyin are to fly APC flag for Asa/Ilorin West and Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero election.
In Edo, a former Vice President of the NLC, Mr Irabor Onikolease, won APC ticket for the Esan North East/ Esan South East Federal Constituency, after defeating the state commissioner of Energy and Water Resources, Mr Chris Ebare. The Senate Vice Chairman on Commerce, Mr Odion Ugbesia also lost his bid to return to the Senate. Ugbesia who is the PDP Senator representing Edo Central, lost to Mr Cliffors Ordia by 141 votes to 62 votes. Ugbesia who is of the PDP has been a senator since 2007. Meanwhile, more than 150 members of the House of Representaives are believed to have lost in their bid for re-election
As the victors are still savouring the euphoria of victory, what other options are left for the humbled in case their likely protests over the conduct of the primaries are treated and found to lack substance by appropriate party organs? How many of them plan to seek the option of defection out of desperation to occupy elective public offices in 2015? Or, will the aggrieved camp remain in their parties and fight within over the perceived injustice?
It is also important to ask if the mixed fortunes of the big names in the governorship and National Assembly primaries is symptomatic of what Nigerians should expect in next February’s election in both the PDP and the APC. Better still, will some of them remain in their parties and work against them during elections?