Daily Trust Sunday

2019: Campaigns gathering momentum across states

The next general elections are two years away from now, but many politician­s who want to become governors are already campaignin­g. In this report, we look at those who are making subtle moves to upstage sitting governors or take over from those rounding o

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By Hamza Idris (Abuja), Andrew Agbese (Kaduna), Balarabe Alkassim (Bauchi), Abdullatee­f Aliyu (Lagos), Haruna Gimba Yaya (Gombe), Emma Elekwa (Awka), Hope Abah (Makurdi), Lami Sadiq (Jos) and Habibu Umar Aminu (Katsina)

The Independen­t National Electoral Commission (INEC), in March this year, announced dates for the 2019 general elections, a developmen­t seen by pundits as quiet unusual. This seems to have prompted politician­s to set the ball of campaigns rolling.

The 2019 presidenti­al and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, February 16, 2019 while the governorsh­ip, state assemblies and the Federal Capital Territory area council elections will hold on Saturday, March 2, 2019.

Along this line, there have been concerns over ‘disguised political campaigns’ by politician­s in an apparent breach of Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), which allows for campaigns just 90 days to the election day and prohibits any advertisem­ents or broadcast of campaigns 24 hours to the election day.

However, despite the outcry over the continued spread of posters of some political officehold­ers and seekers, the INEC, which is charged with the power to sanction such erring politician­s, does not seem to be looking at that direction for now; and therefore, some politician­s are having a field day.

Kaduna: Shehu Sani, others working to unseat El-Rufai

Front liners in the race for the governorsh­ip seat in Kaduna State include the incumbent governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, Senator Shehu Sani and Hon. Ashiru Isa Mohammed Kudan. They have all started subtle campaigns.

The rift between El-Rufai and Sani is said to be because of 2019. Both have been trying to endear themselves to the electorate through various programmes and activities.

As the current governor of Kaduna State, El-Rufai had made it clear that his focus would be on governance and that issues relating to political campaigns would have to wait. But his actions have betrayed his interest in trying to control the political structures in his state.

The governor has taken full control of the party by retaining his loyalists in key positions, to the chagrin of other leaders of the party in the state.

Sani, on the other hand, has not made it clear that he would take another shot at the Senate or offer himself for governorsh­ip election in 2019. However, his opposition to Governor El-Rufai on almost all issues has categorise­d him as eyeing the governorsh­ip seat.

He has also aligned with powerful leaders of the party, and was able to get the North-West zonal secretaria­t of the party to his side when he was suspended from the All Progressiv­es Congress (APC). He has also embarked on populist programmes that put him on the spotlight.

On his part, Kudan has been working from the background with those opposed to El-Rufai. He contested in the APC primaries in 2015, and is believed to be interested in the governorsh­ip seat again.

Candidates campaignin­g by proxy in Bauchi

Politician­s in Bauchi State have devised strategies, including using groups and individual­s to test the waters, two years away to the real contest.

While the incumbent governor is allegedly trying to make sure that nobody take over from him, some new candidates are being endorsed by various groups to contest in 2019.

Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar of the APC might seek a second term. To actualise this, prominent groups like M.A Boys, 10-10 Group and others have engaged themselves in various activities to promote his interest.

Following closely are some federal lawmakers who are mostly opposed to the governor and are campaignin­g against his second term bid.

The group, headed by the Speaker of the House of Representa­tives, Yakubu Dogara and Senator Ali Wakili, has been focusing on robust project execution in their constituen­cies.

Dogara has been winning elections in his constituen­cy, comprising Bogoro, Dass and Tafawa Balewa for many years. As a result of this, some are saying he might give the governorsh­ip seat a try despite some obvious obstacles.

Wakili is, however, a first term senator representi­ng Bauchi South. There are insinuatio­ns that he might give the governor a big fight under the APC, with the active support of the likes of Dogara.

Student union leaders and other groups are actively involved in the subtle campaign for Wakili to run in 2019 despite opposition from some camps that are campaignin­g against him.

Gladiators up in arms in Katsina

Political gladiators have already begun their moves to take over the seat of power in Katsina State. In the APC, for instance, Governor Aminu Bello Masari, a seasoned politician and confidant of President Muhammadu Buhari, may seek a second term. His emergence as governor in 2015 was attributed to the political tsunami that swept across the northern region, especially in Katsina, where Buhari hails from.

Senator Hadi Sirika, the incumbent Minister of State for Aviation, is believed to be eyeing the top job in the state. He is seen as the likely successor of the incumbent governor because of his perceived closeness to President Buhari and the leadership of the party at the national level. Other candidates in the APC include Senator Ibrahim Ida, Dr Mustapha Inuwa and Dikko Umaru Radda.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina has Muttaqa Rabe Darma, a university don and former executive secretary of the Petroleum Technology Developmen­t Fund (PTDF). It is believed that he has been eyeing the top job in the state since 2015. A very young, vibrant and intellectu­ally sound politician with the support of the youth and the grassroots, Darma is a strong mobiliser. He has many community services to his credit.

Musa Nashuni is another potential candidate. The mining engineer and commission­er in the last administra­tion is the last gubernator­ial candidate of the PDP in the 2015 general elections who has the support of the embattled former governor, Ibrahim Shema.

Others in the PDP are Musa Sada, an architect, Umar Tata and Bature Masari. They have all made their landmarks in various endeavours.

A long walk for Obiano in Anambra

No doubt, the second term bid of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, under the All Progressiv­es Grand Alliance (APGA) has continued to gather momentum, but he would have to contend with opposition­s from within and afar.

The gubernator­ial election has been slated for November 18, 2017 and aspirants have gone far in campaigns. The three major contenders from the APGA, APC and the PDP are already making projection­s ahead of the election.

But the state chapter of the APC is not taking anything for granted. Just recently, the party set up a committee headed by the former governor of the old Anambra State,

Senator Jim Nwobodo and former Abia State governor, Chief Orji Uzo Kalu, with the primary mandate of unseating Governor Obiano.

But the big hurdle the APC is facing, not just for the Anambra governorsh­ip election but ahead of the presidenti­al poll, is the challenge of convincing the average Anambraria­n that it is not a Muslim party.

Recently, Orji Kalu, who dumped his party for the APC, visited many religious organisati­ons to change their perception about the party.

About 13 aspirants have indicated interest to contest the governorsh­ip election in Anambra on the platform of the APC.

According to the state chairman of the party, Mr Emeka Ibe, the aspirants are Chief George Muoghalu and the billionair­e businessma­n, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator Andy Uba, Senator Uche Ekwunife and Chief Barth Nwibe. Others are Mr Obinna Okonkwo, Chief Paul Chukwuma, Chief Obinna Uzor, Dr Chike Obidigbo, Chief Ralph Okeke, Chief Tony Nwoye and Prince Donatus Okonkwo. He also mentioned a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Chukwuma Soludo, but the technocrat said he was not even a member of the APC.

In the APGA, at the last count, no fewer than 50 communitie­s pledged their loyalty to the second term aspiration of Governor Obiano, citing his massive developmen­tal strides across the state during his two and half years in office as their main reason.

The recent visit of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to the state presented another test to the popularity of the governor. It was an eye-opener for political observers, and indeed, Obiano’s supporters, to the effect that it is not yet uhuru for the governor.

Those who were at the various locations the vice president visited would attest to the fact that the Minister of Labour and Employment and former governor of the state, Senator Chris Ngige, who accompanie­d the Osinbajo, stole the show.

Also, the victory of the APC in Edo and Ondo states during the recent gubernator­ial elections has thrown the governor and his supporters into a state of fear. The national chairman of the APGA, Chief Victor Oye, however, said the party was not bothered with the defection of top politician­s from the party.

“People are jumping from the PDP to APC, just because they want to be governor of Anambra State, but the APGA is not moved,” he said. Lagos 2019 permutatio­ns In Lagos, just like other states, the belief is that the 2019 elections are still very far. This statement, however, contradict­s the body language of politician­s in the state, especially those in the camp of the ruling APC.

Although Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has not openly declared for second term, many APC members are, however, of the opinion that for justice and fairness, he deserves a second term ticket like his predecesso­r. But sources within the party said those who contested with him for the party’s ticket had not discarded their ambitions.

In fact, it was learnt that the recent cold war between Babatunde Fashola and Ambode has the trappings of the 2019 race.

A former commission­er for works in the state, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, who was strongly backed by Fashola, came second in the party’s gubernator­ial primary election. He is likely to slug it out with Ambode again for the party’s ticket in 2019.

Other contenders for the ticket before it went to Ambode were former commission­ers for justice and health, Mr. Supo Shasore and Dr Leke Pitan, as well as the immediate past speaker of the House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

The controvers­ial Lagos monarch, Oba Riliwanu Akiolu, stirred the debate last month when he declared, “There is no vacancy in Alausa for 2019,” saying the governor would rule for the next six years. This statement did not go down well with those who are still eyeing the coveted seat.

In the opposition camp, the then PDP candidate, Mr Jimi Agbaje is the only aspirant that comes to mind among the list of would-be candidates for the 2019 gubernator­ial election. But insiders said other candidates would definitely emerge when the time comes. Scheming in Benue In Benue State, political schemings have already begun ahead of the 2019 governorsh­ip election as some politician­s are now mapping out strategies for the contest.

Foremost among possible contenders is the incumbent Governor Samuel Ortom, who would likely seek a second tenure.

Ortom has not openly disclosed his intention for re-election, but his supporters have mounted campaigns on the social media, bill boards and at public fora, on the need for him to retain the position in the next general elections. Whichever way, a stiff opposition may come his way.

A former chieftain of the APC in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, popularly known as Young Alhaji, appears to be doing some political calculatio­ns to enable him take his chance in the next gubernator­ial election.

In a recent interview with our correspond­ent, Usman has assured that his ongoing alliance with some political leaders across the state would culminate in wresting power from the current ruling party by 2019.

“I am not silent. I don’t have to exert energy when there is no need for that. Elections have been won and lost since 2015. The actual political activities for the next general elections will begin in 2018, but that does not mean that I’m not active politicall­y. For now, we are brainstorm­ing with political leaders and opinion moulders across the state on the way forward,” he said.

Similarly, indication­s are rife that Prince Terhemen Tarzoor, the PDP candidate who lost his 2015 governorsh­ip bid to Ortom, will make a big comeback to the political scene.

Also, Dr Steve Wande, the proprietor of First Fertility Hospital in Makurdi, is being speculated to be eyeing the governorsh­ip position under the PDP.

A member of the House of Representa­tives for Vandekiya and Konshisha constituen­cy on the platform of the APC, Herman Hembe, has also subtly started the campaign to become governor. Plateau Anxious politician­s in Plateau State equally seem to be showing subtle interests in key positions. Right now, a few people are said to be eyeing the number one seat in the state. Most of these people are from the opposition PDP.

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has a strong grip on the APC Also, the power of incumbency gives him an advantage within the party. Neverthele­ss, this has not stopped aspirants from warming up for 2019.

Solomon Dalung has never hidden his intention to be the governor of Plateau State. He had, in 2014, cried foul that the Lateb Dabang-led APC wanted to manipulate the election in favour of Lalong. The rivalry between Dalung and Governor Lalong did not abate, even after the election, instead, analysts said the gap between the two widened when Dalung was appointed Minister of Youth and Sports.

A lot of people see the ministeria­l appointmen­t as an opportunit­y for the vocal activist turned politician to further stabilise in politics and ‘finances,’ as well as build national contacts ahead of future encounter.

Nicholas Kemi Nshe became very popular as the chairman-elect of Shendam Local Government Area and a close ally of former Governor Jonah Jang before Lalong replaced the councils with caretaker chairmen.

Many people said that if Jang had thought of his then PDP candidate, Gyang Pwajok with someone from the southern zone, Nshe would have been the most likely candidate.

Jeremiah Useni, a serving senator, had shown interest in becoming governor before he later settled for the Senate when it became clear to him in 2014 that the then Governor Jang had made up his mind to pick Gyang Pwajok.

It is said that Useni, who is still in the PDP but chummy with the APC, has not given up his ambition. Gombe Politician­s in Gombe State have started working to succeed Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, who is rounding off his two terms under the umbrella of the PDP.

Analysts are of the opinion that two major political parties - the ruling PDP and the APC - will slug it out at the governorsh­ip poll.

Likely top contenders in the PDP include some of Dankwambo’s commission­ers and close political associates who helped him retain his seat during the 2015 polls.

One of the politician­s, whose posters are all over the town, is Alhaji Bala Bello Tinka, a successful businessma­n and close associate of the governor.

Tinka had declared interest in the House of Representa­tives and the Senate in 2011 and 2015, respective­ly but failed to get the ticket in both attempts.

The Commission­er for Local Government, Alhaji Ahmed Abubakar Walama and the Commission­er for Finance, Alhaji Muhammadu Hassan, have been in the cabinet for six years now.

Political observers said the duo were consulting widely and studying the trends carefully before making their ambitions public. It is believed that anyone of them who gets the governor’s approval would have the upper hand over other contestant­s.

Leading members of the PDP who defected to the APC will likely slug it out. They include Abubakar Mu’azu Hassan, Senator Idris Umar Abdullahi, Senator Saidu Ahmad Alkali, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar and Alhaji Farouk Bamusa.

Senator Idris Umar Abdullahi, the immediate past minister of transport, is believed to be a close associate of Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, a former governor and now a leader of the party in the state.

Also, Habu Mu’azu, a former PDP youth leader in the state, has grassroots support, while Inuwa Yahaya, APC’s flag-bearer in 2015, is equally working hard to secure the ticket. His ambition to succeed Dankwambo is very much alive.

 ??  ?? Bala Bello Tinka
Bala Bello Tinka
 ??  ?? Inuwa Yahaya
Inuwa Yahaya
 ??  ?? Abubakar Mu’azu Hassan
Abubakar Mu’azu Hassan
 ??  ?? Ali Wakili
Ali Wakili

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