The outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries for the National Assembly held across the country came with surprises. It also portends serious threats to party majority in both chambers. Adesuwa Tsan writes that the stage has now been cleared for APC to take a stronger hold on the Senate.
Since a group of governors and their loyalists walked out of PDP’s convention last year, it has taken a thin thread to hold the support of lawmakers for the presidency. Only the fact that the PDP holds a majority in both chambers; albeit, a thin one in the House, stopped the swelling ranks of the opposition All Progressives Party (APC) from taking hold of the control of the National Assembly but all that may change in 2015 if the heavy sweep of political giants in the two chambers is anything to go by.
It is worthy of note that while the PDP allowed governors to determine who returns to the Senate, which resulted in most of them not winning tickets to return, the APC gave its own lawmakers room to return to the chambers. A clear example is that while majority leader of the Senate, Victor Ndoma-Egba failed to pick his ticket which he lost to the anointed candidate of the governor, Hon John Owan Enoh, minority leader of the Senate, who belongs to the APC, emerged unopposed in his own primary election.
Signs of trouble to come started with the widespread rejection of PDP ward congress results held in all states on November 1.
By fielding fresh candidates from most of the primaries, the PDP has created an avenue for the electorate to make their choices based on fresh parameters; no past achievements to use as yardstick for comparison.
There is also the problem of possible sabotage by losers in the primaries and other aggrieved members of the party who may join forces with opposition candidates to ensure that the seat is taken away from the PDP.
Heavyweights that failed to pick return tickets include Uche Chukwumerije (Abia), Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa), Odion Ugbesia (Edo) , Margery Okadigbo (Anambra) Esther Nenadi Usman (Kaduna) , West-Idahosa (Edo), Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom), Victor Ndoma-Egba (Cross River), Nkechi Nwogu (Abia), Aloysius Etuk (Cross River), among others.
Results from the states
Abia
Only Senator Enyinna Abaribe won his primary in Abia South. Chief Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North) and Chief Theodore A Orji (Abia Central) are going to be running for the first time for the Senate.
Anambra
(Two factions produced 11 candidates for the three senatorial zones) Andy Uba, Chris Uba, Chuma Nzeribe and Obinna Uzoh (Anambra South); John Okechukwu Emeka, Stella Odauh and Margery Okadigbo (Anambra North); Uche Ekwunife, Senator Annie Okonkwo, Sylvester Okonkwo and Obiora Okonkwo (Anambra Central).
Bauchi
Governor Isa Yuguda (Bauchi North); (incumbent)Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central); Hon Faruk Mustapha (Bauchi North).
Benue
Gov Gabriel Suswam(Benue North), incumbent Senate president, David Mark (Benue South)and Mike Mku (Benue North West ).
Ebonyi
Only one incumbent, Senator Sunny Ogbuoji (Ebonyi South), secured his ticket. Other winners are Chief Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi Central), Chief Sam Egwu (Ebonyi North).
Edo
All new candidates: Paschal Ugbome (Edo North); Clifford Ordia (Edo Central); Matthew Uroghide (Edo South)
Ekiti
Currently occupied by opposition APC.
Enugu
(Parallel primaries threw up a number of candidates)
Senator Gilbert Nnaji; Mr. Frank Nweke; Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo (Enugu East); Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West); Dr. Martin Oke and Mr. Chukwuka Utazi (For Enugu North)
Imo
Incumbent Chief Hope Uzodinma (Imo West), Chief Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East); Chief Athan Nneji Achonu (Imo North).
Kaduna
Senator Ahmed Aruwa (Kaduna Central); Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi (incumbent)(Kaduna North); Mr. Danjuma Tella La’ah (Kaduna South).
Kano
Incumbent Bello Ayatu Gwarzo (Kano North); Bashir Garba Lado (Kano Central); Inconclusive (Kano South)
Kogi
Air Marshal Isaac Alfa (Rtd) (Kogi East); incumbent Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West); Ahmed Ogembe (Kogi Central)
Kwara
Yinusa Yahaya (Kwara North); Lola Ashiru (Kwara South); Mr. Yinka Aluko (Kwara Central)
Lagos
Ade dosunmu (Lagos Central); Segun Adewale (Lagos West); Olabisi Salis (Lagos East)
Oyo
Senator Ayoade Adeseun (Oyo Central); Kamardeen Adedibu (Oyo South); Hosea Agboola (Oyo North)
Plateau
David Jonah Jang (Northern Zone); Joshua Dariye (Central Zone); Jeremiah Useni (Southern Zone). Only one senator, Joshua Dariye, won his ticket.
Sokoto
Senator Ahmed Maccido; Alhaji Kiriyo Yabo; Dahiru Yari Gandi
FCT
Incumbent Senator Phillip Aduda
Zamfara
Malam Aliyu Yandoto (Zamfara Central), incumbent Sen Shaba Ya’u Kaura(Zamfara North), Hon Mohammed Sani Takori (Zamfara West ).