The struggle for the control of the National Assembly continues between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in today’s federal legislative elections across the country. Both parties are hoping to retain the seats they currently hold and win as many new seats as possible ahead of the 10th Assembly later in the year.
In this piece, Assistant Editor ‘Dare Odufowokan, examines some Senate seats most likely to flip in today’s election. Additional reports were contributed to the piece by Ogochukwu Anioke (Abakaliki), Nsa Gill (Calabar), Sunny Nwankwo (Aba), Nwanosike Onu (Awka), Khadijat Saidu (Kebbi), David Adenuga (Bauchi), Onimisi Alao (Yola) and Linus Oota (Lafia).
Ekiti
The contest for Ekiti South Senatorial District is a straight fight between Senator Biodun Olujimi, the incumbent Senator of the area in the National Assembly and Honourable Yemi Adaramodu, the current member representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1 in the lower chamber of the National Assembly. Many pundits have predicted a fierce political battle in the district following the emergence of the two leading contestants as the candidates of their various parties.
The current senator boasts of an enviable track record of winning elections even against perceived politically stronger opponents or when she is written off in the contest for one reason or the other. She has been within the political power corridor of the state since the return to democracy as an elected political office holder. But some analysts say she has Adaramodu to contend with this time and her return to the senate may be under threat.
Olujimi emerged as the Deputy Minority Whip of the Senate in 2015. However, she became the Minority Leader when Senator Godswill Akpabio left the PDP for All Progressives Congress (APC). Her closest rival, Adaramodu, an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, became the Chairman of Ekiti South West Local Government Area at 29. Since then, he has been a political force in the state, serving in various capacities under various administrations.
Adaramodu was the Director of Communications of Governor John Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, and later became Chief of Staff to Fayemi, during his first term in office between 2010 and 2014. In 2019, he was elected into the House of Representatives, where he is currently serving. He won the senatorial ticket of the APC last year to contest against Olujimi and pundits have been talking about the race for the senatorial seat of the district.
Olijimi did not win her nomination for reelection easily as Fayose, who has become her political foe, had the PDP in his firm grip. The former governor backed another aspirant for the ticket against the incumbent senator. But Olujimi took her case to the national leadership of the party and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, who reportedly prevailed in on Fayose to give Olujimi the ticket as part of a peace deal brokered in the party.
Olujimi is not contesting against Adaramodu alone. She has Fayose, who allegedly instructed PDP critical stakeholders from the six councils in the senatorial district, including State Executive Council members, House of Assembly candidates, ward/local government chairmen, former House of Assembly members and former political office holders, not to work for Olujimi. Reports have it that he has endorsed Adaramodu’s candidature.
He also held a rally to drum support for Adaramodu at Ise-Ekiti, where he urged PDP members to cast the senatorial vote for the APC candidate. Speaking, on his behalf, one of his foot soldiers, a former House of Assembly member, Dare Pelemo, who said the campaign rally, which would be held in the six council areas, was to sensitise party members on the need to vote for the current member of the House of Representatives representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1, in the senatorial election.
Recently, loyalists of former Governor Fayose surprisingly endorsed Adaramodu during a public political meeting in Ise-Orun and Emure local government areas of the state, saying Nigerians should begin to vote for performing individuals regardless of party affiliations. PDP stakeholders at the meeting included: PDP State Auditor, Chief (Mrs) Arike Akintade, PDP State Assistant Youth Leader and Alhaji Usman Afolabi.
Others are: former Chairman and Ise-Orun local government, Hon. Kolawole Ropo, former Secretary, Emure local government, Prince Oshin Adekanbi Chairmen of PDP in the 10 wards of Emure local government led by Hon Adeleke Banji, ten PDP ward Chairmen in Ise- Orun local government led by Hon. Gbenga Ojuawo, ex counsellor Tayo Alagbon, Kolawole Abegunde and good number of party members and supporters.
Addressing the gathering, the former Ise-Orun council Chairman, Hon. Ropo Kolawole, said: “We are ready to vote right in 2023. What we are craving for are people who can give the best of representations for us. Someone, who can be fair to all parties. We are just getting it right in our politics, any political office holder not doing well must be voted out. Supporting APC’s Adaramodu is not anti-party activity on our part, but it is a vote of confidence in his leadership and performance. “
Speaking on behalf of the PDP ward Chairmen, Hons Ojuawo and Adeleke, Coordinating Ward Chairmen in Ise-Orun and Emure local governments respectively, clarified that they called the meeting to notify party leaders and members on their decision to vote Adaramodu in the next election. With these developments, many analysts are of the opinion that Olujimi’s senate seat is indeed threatened on many fronts.
Adamawa
It will no doubt be a tough for incumbent Ishaku Elisha Abbo, the Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District of Adamawa state, in the 9th National Assembly, to retian his seat. Not many pundits are doubtful of his victory at today’s election. Apart from contesting against the candidate of the ruling party in the state, Abbo does not enjoy the support of his own political party in his home local government as he was recently suspended from the APC for making statements considered as unreasonable, unpardonable and unguarded against the President Buhari and the vice presidential candidates of APC.
Abbo had defected to the APC last year after falling out with the governor of the state and the leadership of the PDP in Adamawa state. Following what they consider as anti-party activities, the Mubi North Local Government chapter of the APC, after the adoption of a disciplinary committee report, decided to expel Senator Ishaku Abbo from the party. The committee decided against Abbo because of his open attack on Senator Kashim Sehttima, Tinubu’s running mate of the APC for the coming 2023 election.
“Consequently, 29 members of the committee have approved the report of the disciplinary committee dated 5th date of October 2022 wherefore expel Senator Elisha Ishaku Abbo based on the interview granted on AIT where he was condemning and criticizing the party Presidential flag bearer Sen Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his choice of a running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima on the program tagged “Focus”, the committee said. Of course, the lawmaker responded to his expulsion by saying those who expelled him from the party were not local government party executive and as such, lack the jurisdiction to take the action. But the development has drastically affected his popularity within the party across the state ahead of today’s election.
Abbo, who got into the Senate in 2019 on the ticket of PDP, defected to APC in November 2020 and announced a month later that he would be running for the governorship but later changed his mind, opting instead return to the Senate. The lawmaker secured the party’s ticket after defeating Senator Binta Masi and two other aspirants in the primary election held in the district on May 29, 2022. His victory at the APC primary election was challenged at the court and the Adamawa State High Court, Yola, soon nullified his nomination. Justice Mohammed Danladi, who delivered the judgement, held that Abbo was expelled from the party by his ward executives in the Mubi North local government area of Adamawa on October 7 last year.
The judge gave the ruling in a suit filed by two APC members, Abdullahi Suleiman and Yusha’u Usman of Kolere and Sabon Layi Wards of Mubi North LGA. The duo had in the suit challenged Abbo’s status in the party. Justice Danladi declared that the respondent was not entitled to any right or privilege accorded to APC members in the state. He also restrained APC from recognising Abbo as its candidate, adding he had failed to defend himself as demanded by the court. Expectedly, Abbo, who referred to the court ruling as “cash and carry verdict”, appealed the court judgment disqualifying him from contesting the senatorial seat in the 2023 general elections on the platform of the APC. The case is still in court.
Abbo is facing seven other candidates in today’s election. Two are likely to pose a robust threat to him. The formidable opponents are Rev. Amos Yohana of PDP and Dr. Abdullahi Belel of NNPP. The others look like they are not truly in the race. Yohana has the mandate of the ruling party in the state but he was a featherweight who has managed to remain so even with the ticket. He is hardly heard of. Belel, a public health specialist and former executive chairman of Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, even with the ticket of little-valued NNPP, appears more of a threat, especially as he seems to have support from across party lines.
The medical doctor was once rumoured to enjoy some rapport with Governor Fintiri. Nonetheless, neither Belel nor Yohanna or any of the other candidates is expected to prove too much for Abbo, a politician hated passionately by many, loved equally passionately by many others, but who appears in any case to have winning ways.
Edo
The battle for the senate seat in Edo North is expected to be intense. The incumbent senator, Francis Alimikhena, faces a serious threat to his reelection in a former two-term governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, who is seeking the seat on the platform of the APC. Pundits say it will be an upset if Alimikhena defeats Oshiomhole today at the polls. The former governor, a former National Chairman of the APC, is very popular and loved in the senatorial district and feelers from his campaign showed that he looks good to clinch the senatorial seat ahead of all other contenders for the position in today’s election.
After testing the waters, Oshiomhole declared his intention to vie for the senatorial tickets in Edo North, which automatically became a threat to the ambition of Alimikhena. The incumbent senator wasted no time in accusing APC party leaders in Edo North of working against him. At the APC primaries, Alimikhena was credited with four votes, with the aggrieved Senator debunking the claim that he took part in the primaries and saying the APC was out to trash him. He had announced his decision to leave the party shortly before the commencement of the primary election.
Sen. Francis Alimikhena, who is in Governor Obaseki’s PDP camp, is expected to slug it out with Oshiomhole. Both had belonged to the APC before the incumbent senator dumped the party for Obaseki’s faction of the ruling PDP. In 2014, Oshiomhole backed Alimikhena in the APC primaries to beat then-Senator Domingo Obende. The two erstwhile allies fell our shortly after the 2020 governorship election in the state, which led to the exit of Alimikhena from the APC to the PDP, a platform on which he is seeking reelection. The odds appear to be against him. Since 1999, no Edo senator had served three terms at the National Assembly and Alimikhena may not be an exemption.
Though his supporters believe Alimikhena can break the jinx, his third-term ambition is being threatened by Oshiomhole’s popularity and acceptance across the senatorial district. Oshiomhole, who did so much developmental work in Edo North while he was governor, is the favourite in this contest. But some analysts say the incumbent senator’s optimism in the race should not be written off. “Alimikhena will be hoping to upset Oshiomhole. He is going into today’s contest with the support of the governor and that means a lot. He has also been adjudged to have performed well as a senator. So his chances are not bad. He will not go down without a fight,” a source said.
Bauchi
All the three incumbent senators from Bauchi State lost their bids to be the candidates of their political as they were all defeated in the party’s primary elections. Adamu Bulkachuwa, representing Bauchi North, scored zero votes in the party’s primary election for his senatorial District while the winner of the contest, Siraj Tanko, scored 189 votes. In Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Uba Ahmad Nana clinched the ticket of the party with 238 votes. Halliru Dauda, the incumbent Senator of Bauchi Central, did not partake in the primary as he was earlier defeated in the governorship primary election of the party.
Lawal Yahaya Gumau, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, got 182 votes as he lost to Shehu Buba Umar, who scored 188 votes, among others. Guma’u promptly defected to the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and emerged as its senatorial candidate. Today, the contest will be between APC, PDP and NNPP. APC defeated PDP in the district during the last senatorial elections but PDP had the highest number of votes in the last governorship election. However, a court ruling which canceled the PDP senatorial primaries in the state brightened hope of NNPP candidate, Yahaya Lawal Guma’u in retaining his seat. The incumbent senator had dumped the APC for the NNPP after failing to secure nomination for reelection.
A Federal High Court Sitting in Owerri, Imo State, had ordered the state chapter of the PDP to conduct fresh primary elections for the Bauchi South Senatorial ticket. In May, PDP announced Garba Dahiru as winner of its Bauchi South senatorial primary elections. However, the runner-up of the election contested in court and secured a judgment mandating the party to hold fresh primaries barely two months before the 2023 general elections. According to analysts, Shehu Buba Umar of APC who is considered a political novice from the same Toro Local Government Area as Gumau does not stand a chance against him.
Thus, the incumbent is fighting a fierce battle to retain his seat. Before becoming a senator, Gumau served for two terms in the House of Representatives representing the Toro Constituency. He became a senator by winning 119,489 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ladan Salihu of PDP who received 50,256 votes to win a 2018 by-election due to the death of Senator Malam Wakili. Gumau had alleged lack of fairness and transparency, being sidelined from the scheme of the party’s activities before leaving the APC to join NNPP where he clinched the senatorial ticket.
Ebonyi
All eyes are on Ebonyi state as the senatorial elections kick off today. The ruling APC and the opposition PDP in the state have a lot to prove by winning as many National Assembly seats as possible today. The PDP currently holds the three senate seats in the state following the defection of Governor David Umahi and majority of political office holders in the state to the APC in 2020. The 2023 election is an opportunity for the two parties to prove which of them is the most popular with the people of the state.
Ebonyi South is one of the key battlegrounds because three major candidates are squaring off for the seat. They include Governor David Umahi who is candidate of the ruling APC, incumbent Senator Ama Nnachi of PDP and Linus Okorie, a former House of Representatives member flying the flag of Labour Party (LP). The presence of Governor Umahi in the race and the rising profile of Okorie, the LP candidate, is making many observes of the politics of the state to fear that the incumbent senator may not return to the red chamber.
There are five local governments in the zone: Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ohaozara, Ivo and Onicha. Of the five, the largest and most populous is Onicha Local Government Area. Capture this and you have a great chance of winning the election. But some analysts claim that recent happenings show that the popularity of Umahi in this local government is at an all-time low.
The Labour Party candidate Okorie who hails from the local government was taken away by gunmen on the morning of Sunday, October 17, 2022, while driving out of his Abakaliki residence. He was said to be heading to the local government where he was to have a meeting with his supporters when he was abducted. His whereabouts was uncertain throughout that Sunday until news filtered in on Monday morning, October 18 that he was arrested by members of the Ebubeagu security outfit in liaison with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), over alleged illicit drug dealings.
The Ebonyi Police Command announced that the LP chieftain was arrested on grounds of his alleged involvement in illicit drug dealings in the state, saying he wasn’t kidnapped. He has been in detention at the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services, for the past one month. His continued detention, many in the zone believe, is a calculated attempt by his opponents to put him out of circulation and whittle down his popularity.
However, his incarceration seems to have backfired as it appears to have made him more popular with many sympathizing with him, while Umahi’s popularity has taken a hit which analysts fear he may never recover from. It is believed he has effectively lost Onicha Local Government voters who are angry because of the detention of their son.
Also, some major political heavyweights in the local government like his former allies Ali Odefa, who is National Vice Chairman of PDP, his brother Obasi Odefa, who is Deputy Speaker of Ebonyi House of Assembly and Ifeanyi Odii, who is the governorship candidate of the PDP, and many others who are no longer with the governor following his defection to APC, will not work for his victory.
But supporters of the governor insist that he will do well in Onicha, especially because of some projects he executed in the area as well as the presence of a good number of his appointees across the local government area. A political leader in the area expressed confidence in Umahi’s popularity and vowed that people are working hard to ensure his victory across party lines.
The governor is projected to win Ohaozara – his local government. He will also take some votes from Afikpo South due to the massive works he has done there – especially the construction of arguably the longest flyover bridge in the Southeast. But Ama Nnachi of the PDP, who hails from the area, is expected by many to win the local government. In Afikpo North, the council’s votes are expected to be split between the three major candidates. Also, the APGA candidate Eleje hails from here and is expected to take some votes.
Ivo Local Government is seen as a no-go area for Umahi due to the presence of former Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, with whom Umahi had an acrimonious falling out a few years ago when he left for APC. Also, the presence of another popular candidate, Nkemkanma Kama, who is contesting the Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo House of Representatives position on the platform of the PDP, according to pundits, will affect Umahi’s chances.
Kama and Anyim hail from Ishiagụ town and it is believed that since both Senate and House elections hold on same day, people are likely to vote one party for the two contests. All in all, it is looking like a three-way battle between APC, LP and PDP in Ebonyi South. While it is still too early to predict who wins eventually, majority opinion say Nnachi may trial both Umahi and Okorie in the race, meaning it is unlikely that PDP will retain the senate seat.
Cross River
The three seats in Cross River State are currently occupied by PDP senators. The race in the Northern Senatorial district has been described as a titanic race because it involves Governor Ben Ayade of APC who is aiming to return to the National Assembly after two tenures as governor. To many, the race will be a referendum on his performance. His opponent in PDP, incumbent Senator Jerigbe Agom Jerigbe, knows that he is in a contest where the electorate wants to assess the state governor.
More so, the circumstances in which Jerigbe emerged senator through judicial victory, over the wishes of the governor, has remained a bitter pill for Ayade. So while he and his supporters see and approach the 2023 race as a payback time, Jerigbe’s camp is working round the clock with a message of a performance through the execution of different Federal Government constituency projects facilitated by him.
However, the governor has numerous government projects he has implemented in his senatorial district and across the state. So Ayade will campaign with his performance record, his media aide said. On his side, Jarigbe said as legislator he has demonstrated empathy for his people by putting himself in their shoes and their support for him is unparalleled. The contest will no doubt be tough as the two renewed political rivalry the very moment they won their parties’ nomination.
Jarigbe has been boasting that he has the capacity to defeat the state governor, Ayade, who is the APC candidate in Cross River North senatorial election in 2023. He stressed that his track record alone was enough to make the people of the Senatorial district put their weight solidly behind him. The lawmaker stated that he was seeking re-election back to the Senate on the PDP platform to help his people who had been marginalised in the last three decades.
Jarigbe, who is a former Member of the House of Representatives representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency of the State, claimed that his love for his constituents was the driving force behind his re-election bid. When asked if he isn’t afraid to go for a contest with an incumbent governor, Jarigbe responded, “I will defeat him hands down. I’ve provided most of what the people need and have filled the gaps.”
But an APC, chieftain in the Senatorial District, Odi Omagu, has expressed confidence that Ayade will retire Jarigbe from the senate after today’s election. Speaking in Calabar recently, Omagu said Governor Ayade is a man of the people and winning the Senatorial election for the Cross River North seat will be easy for him given how much he has touched the lives of the people of the state. he said the people of the district are proud of him and eager to compensate him with the seat.
“I can assure you that judging by the popularity of His Excellency Senator Professor Ben Ayade, his victory in the Cross River North election would be before midday on the Election Day and I am not just bragging or exaggerating.” He said when Ayade occupied the Senate position between 2011 and 2015, his record was unrivalled at that level in the district and his performance as governor has further made him a household name which makes his victory at the election seamless.
“There is hardly any household in Cross River that has not been touched by the governor. When Ayade served as the senator of our district in the Senate between 2011 and 2015 before he became the governor, his record was unrivalled at that level in the district. He touched the lives of the people. And his performance as governor has further made him a household name which makes his victory at the election a certainty,” he said.
Should that happen and Ayade emerges victorious today, the senate seat in the district will flip over and return to the APC with the governor taking his seat once again among distinguished senators, eight years after he left the red chamber to become the governor of his home state. Only that, this time, Ayade will be returning to the senate as an APC senator unlike in 2011 when he was elected on the platform of the PDP.
Abia
The battle for the Abia South Senatorial District seat is one many have said would be won with a slim margin by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu or former deputy governor Eyinnaya Abaribe. The contest is tough as the duo have been fighting to protect their political ego and future. A loss for any of them will be devastating politically. Expectedly, the campaigns have been fierce and engaging as the two camps slugged it out in their attempts to sway the peoples vote their way.
It is a make or mar election for both men as it will determine their continued political relevance in Obingwa LGA and the state at large. For Abaribe whose dream is to lead the state someday, winning the 2023 Abia South senatorial seat today will further help to keep his hope of becoming the governor of the state alive. And for the governor who is rounding up his second term in office, he desires to clinch the seat and remain relevant.
If Ikpeazu fails to clinch the seat, he may likely not have the opportunity to be politically relevant in the state as findings show that it was only Senator Uzor-Kalu who despite being out of power for about eight years was not only able to still remain politically relevant, but went ahead to win the 2019 Abia North Senatorial District election. The outgoing governor desires such feat too as he leaves government house next May. To enjoy such grace, he will have to defeat Abaribe and other contenders today.
Findings have it that while Abaribe is relying on the strength of his structures across the district to deliver him, Ikpeazu is counting on his supporters in the zone to ensure that they roundly defeat Abaribe who has been accused by the people of the zone of failing to deliver dividends of democracy to the area – especially the rehabilitation of the failed Aba-Ikot-Ekpene Expressway which has remained impassible throughout the period Abaribe represented the people of Abia South.
Contrary to speculations that the contest between the two might be bloody, there has not been any reported case of attack or death recorded so far between the various camps. Analysts are of the opinion that the contest can swing the way of either of the two leading contenders. The PDP is well entrenched in the senatorial district and Ikpeazu is an household name there. Similarly, Abaribe has been around long enough in the politics of the zone to put up a good fight.
Chief Godswill Uche Nwanoruo (Oparaukwu), is Abia State Commissioner for Transportation. According to him, Abaribe is no match for the governor in today’s election. “If we are talking about the person that will represent Abia South in the Senate today, with what our people have seen, Enyinnaya Abaribe is not a match to Okezie Ikpeazu. For the good 16 years Abaribe has been there, let him come out and tell the people of Abia South what he has done, what he has attracted from the Federal Government for his constituents,’ he said.
Anambra
The senatorial elections in Anambra state today is make or mar for the three incumbent senators. Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife of the PDP is the incumbent in Anambra Central; Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah of the YPP is the current occupant of Anambra South seat while Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi, also of the PDP holds the Anambra North mandate. Some observers of the politics of the state fear that these incumbents may find it difficult to retain their seats owing to certain developments within and outside their various political parties. But the concerned politicians themselves are exuding confidence even as voting commences today.
The major parties contesting are APC, PDP, APGA, LP and YPP. There are three senatorial zones in the state, namely Anambra North, Anambra South and Anambra Central. The emergence of LP in the state through the influence of former governor of the state, Peter Obi, has altered political equations in Anambra. He is contesting the presidential elections on the platform of the party. It will be a hard battle between APGA, PDP and Labour in the state. But APGA is like a religion in Anambra.
For APC, despite parading some political heavyweights, the infighting and leadership struggle will not allow them to make much political statement during the election. In the North, Senator Stella Oduah, of PDP is contesting again. Her opponents are the wife of the immediate past governor of the state, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano of APGA and Hon. Tony Nwoye of LP. The candidate of APC in the area is still subject to court decision, as two persons are laying claim to the ticket. Analysts say Oduah may not retain her seat given the quality of oppositions against her this time around.
Oduah of PDP battled many forces in her party before the ticket was given to her through the instrumentality of the political godfather in the state, Chief Chris Uba. She is a two-term senator and vying for her third term in 2023. Before now, she had served as Minister of Aviation, where graft agencies alleged she had some questions to answer. As the incumbent senator, representing Anambra North zone, she has a lot of work to do to battle other contestants like Nwoye and Obiano.
Oduah, has been in the forefront of building houses for widows and other less privileged persons in the area. She has equally, attracted some roads in her Ogbaru area and empowered many youth with motorcycles and Keke -Napep among others. But some claim that she only comes close to the electorate any time she’s seeking for political office. Again, the manner she took the PDP senatorial ticket from her opponents during the primaries remains a major headache to her ambition. One of the contestants took her to court, claiming that she lied under oath among others. They’re still in court.
The APGA candidate, a former First Lady of the state, defeated her husband’s former Chief of Staff, Chief Primus Odili for the ticket. She has many good things going for her in this contest. Few of them are her philanthropy, her husband’s good image in the area, her place of birth and place of marriage. Obiano has endeared herself to widows, the less privileged in the society, the aged and of course, the entire women, who hold the ace in voting. She used her pet project CAFE (Caring Family Enhancement Initiative) to better the lives of many, not only in the North senatorial zone, but the entire Anambra State during the husband’s tenure.
But despite her good works, one thing that still rings bell in the minds of the people in the state, is the slapping saga between her and the widow of the late Biafra leader, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, Bianca, during the inauguration of Prof. Charles Soludo on March 17, 2022 at Government House in Awka. However, political analysts see her as the candidate to beat in the election despite all the negative jabs from the opposition against her. Nonetheless, she enjoys the support of the state governor and the incumbency factor is expected to work in her favour being the candidate of the ruling party in the state.
Nwoye is flagbearer of LP. Before now, he had served as the National President of National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) and still commands his army. He was the youngest chairman of PDP in the state in 2007. He once represented Anambra East and West Federal Constituency at the Green Chambers. He contested and won the governorship ticket of both PDP and APC in the state in 2014 and 2017 respectively, where he came second. Nwoye, has equally, helped many of his constituents from his home town of Nsugbe to Aguleri, Umueri and beyond, the reason, they sing praises of him.
Another thing that puts him in the front seat is his current alignment with LP’s Obi. However, political analysts believe many stakeholders don’t rate his highly. But his loyalists debunk such claim, describing it warped thinking of the opposition. During his tenure as federal lawmaker, he attracted some federal projects from the federal government to some other communities beyond his area (eg -Arthur Eze’s Ukpo community among others).
In the Central district, the incumbent senator, Uche Ekwunife, of PDP is working hard in her quest to return to the red chamber, but opposition is solid and analysts claim she will find it more difficult winning the seat this time than ever before in spite of the popularity of her party in the area. Those opposing her are Senator Victor Umeh of LP, Chief Kodilichukwu Okelekwe of APC and Hon. Dozie Nwankwo of APGA. They’re all established politicians.
Nwankwo is currently, a two term House of Representatives member for Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency. The lawmaker is not new in the politics of the zone. He once defeated Ekwunife during their House of Representatives contest and nearly retired her. During the APGA primaries in June for the senatorial ticket, Nwankwo defeated the former National Chairman of his party, to the amazement of all.
The lawmaker is the younger brother to the wife of former Rivers State Governor and former Transport Minister, Chibuike Amaechi. Many observers say he is a snub and that may be a big challenge to his ambition in 2023. All the same, he is seen as a candidate to beat in the race especially as he is running on the platform of the ruling party and enjoys the backing of the incumbent governor.
Ekwunife of PDP is another frontrunner. She was a two term member of House of Representatives before her journey to the Senate, where she currently, represents Anambra Central. Many members of PDP are not happy with her and they are accusing her of getting the senatorial ticket through the back door.
She has always been a dogged fighter when it comes to politics and never gives up. But the current wind of LP and APGA in the state may deny her the opportunity of going back to the red chamber in 2023. It is being rumoured that she has the secret backing of Governor Soludo, despite being in different parties. Both politicians are from what the Old Aguata Union (OAU).
Some political observers have described the senator as arrogant and vindictive. But her political associates say, the allegations are from the opposition. Again, they accuse the former banker of being selfish and only look towards you whenever she wants something from you. Her supporters have equally debunked the allegations. The last time she won the Senate seat in 2019, she rode on the back of Obi to triumph because of (Atiku-Obi alliance). However, Ekwunife is a solid candidate for the senatorial seat, but the fight will not be a child’s play for her in 2023.
Umeh was the National Chairman of APGA for over ten years. He was later elected to represent his Anambra Central senatorial zone. It was shocking in June during the primaries of APGA, when the result was announced that Umeh lost the ticket to one of his political sons Nwankwo. It was gathered that the powers that be in APGA, ganged up against him to make sure he didn’t win the ticket. That loss brought him together again with Obi, who heard about the situation and called him over to LP, knowing Umeh’s capability in politics.
Immediately, the party conducted its primaries and Umeh emerged as the Central senatorial candidate of LP. However, he has some political rivers to cross before getting to his destination. Many people think it will be difficult for him to win on the platform of LP because of what they refer as lack of structure. But others say his name alone and that of Obi are enough structures in Anambra State.
Okelekwe, candidate of the APC, needs no further introduction in the state. An old politician who has never occupied any elective position, he served as Abuja liaison officer for Anambra State government during the administration of former governor, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju.
He contested the governorship ticket of the PDP in 2010-2011. He later joined APC. The Nation gathered that Okelekwe has the backing of former governor and current Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige and other top stakeholders like Senator Andy Uba among others. Not only that, Okelekwe reportedly has the backing of oil mogul and philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze.
The major issue he has to conquer the perception of his party as a pariah in the Southeast and Anambra in particular. Many people see Okelekwe as the right man for the seat for the Central, but will they vote for his party during the election? Mary Achusi, a business woman from Awka North, said, “nobody is voting party again, we’re going to vote for candidates.”
The South zone is another tough area with the incumbent, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of YPP fighting the battle of his life to retain his position. He’s up against accomplished candidate of PDP and political godfather in the state, Chief Chris Uba, Hon. Chris Azubogu of APGA and Dr. Obinna Uzor, a serial contestant of offices in Anambra, who’s now in LP.
Uba is the PDP godfather in Anambra. He is not well lettered, but his native intelligence is unrivaled when it comes to political issues. A former Board of Trustees (BoT) member of PDP, he determines who takes what in Anambra PDP. But others contesting against him are equally not pushovers. Besides, Ifeanyi Ubah, the incumbent and candidate of YPP, has an edge over him. Again, people in Anambra State are disenchanted with the Uba family for certain reasons. Political observers say he doesn’t help someone unless he wants a favour from you.
KEBBI
The Kebbi Central Senatorial District will witness an epic contest that can go either way between the candidates of the ruling APC and the opposition PDP during the 2023 general elections. A former governor of Kebbi State, Mohammed Adamu Aliero who is the incumbent senator, is squaring up against the incumbent governor, Atiku Bagudu. They are a good match. The two gladiators are now struggling to annex the seat. They are not new to the game. They have both tasted the seat and are desirous to reoccupy it.
The battle seemed to be well joined. Neither Bagudu nor Aliero is by any means a push over. They know the state and the state knows them. They are both home boys in the senatorial district. Aliero was governor from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007. He was senator for Kebbi Central from June 5, 2007 till December 18, 2008. He was then appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in December 2008. He left office in March 2010 when ex-President Goodluck Jonathan (then in acting capacity) dissolved his cabinet.
He moved from PDP to APC in 2014 and was re-elected into the Senate in 2015 and 2019. He, however, returned to PDP and picked a senatorial ticket following a running battle with Bagudu who apparently wants to bench him by returning to the Senate in 2023, after completing his second term as governor.
Bagudu succeeded Aliero when he won a by-election for the Kebbi Central Senatorial seat following Aliero’s appointment as Minister of FCT. He left the Senate to become governor in 2015. The battle between Aliero and Bagudu promises to be intriguing and interesting. Aliero fought court battles to remain in the race following the nullification of his PDP ticket by a Federal High Court in Birnin-Kebbi.
Justice Babagana G. Ashigar, who delivered the judgment, said Aliero was not validly elected in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. He lost the case again at the Court of Appeal. But the Supreme Court affirmed Senator Aliero as the candidate of the PDP for Kebbi Central Senatorial District ahead of the February 25 poll. A five-member panel of justices led by Justice Chima Centus Nweze, yesterday set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which earlier refused Aliero’s appeal challenging a Federal High Court ruling on the primaries of the party on May 24 and June 9, 2022, which he won.
In the majority judgement by Justice Amina Augie, the panel held that Aliero’s appeal challenging the declaration of Haruna Dandio Saidu as the PDP candidate for the senatorial district, had merit. The apex court held that the decisions of the lower courts were done without jurisdiction as the nomination of a candidate was an internal affair of a political party. Will Aliero overcome the incumbency factors that currently favour Bagudu?
The immediate past Senate Leader, Dr. Abdullahi Yahaya, who recently defected from APC to PDP following his inability to win the governorship primary, is fighting hard for survival Kebbi North senatorial district. Last June, the former Senate Leader left the ruling party for the opposition PDP after participating in the APC’s Kebbi governorship primaries and reported to have scored Zero vote, an outcome which he rejected and described as shambolic and a child’s play. He accused the governor of the state of working against his aspirations on the platform of the ruling party.
Yahaya, who will be contesting against his kinsman from Argungu Emirate, Alhaji Hussaini Kangiwa, is faced litigations over his eligibility to contest as PDP senatorial candidate after he had contested in the APC gubernatorial primary which he lost. The senator, who joined his political godfather Aliero in PDP after several failed truces by the national leadership of the ruling APC, may not find it easy to retain his seat given that he is running on the platform of an opposition party as well as the myriads of opposition to his candidature within the PDP itself.
Upon his defection he picked up a Kebbi South ticket which was later nullified by the federal high court in Birnin Kebbi after he was sued by the winner who did primaries before he joined the party. Dissatisfied with the Court ruling he appealed at court of appeal in Sokoto which as well upheld the ruling of the lower court, the legal battle continued to the Apex court where he won and declared the valid candidate for Kebbi South under the platform of PDP.
To many political pundits, the incumbent senator lost a lot of political grounds and supporters in Argungu Emirate to Kangiwa when he defected from the APC to PDP.
It would be recalled that prior to the 2019 general elections, Kangiwa, a member of the House of Representatives, lost his bid to return to the Green Chamber after he was allegedly tricked to abandon the House nomination form to go to the Senate. The ticket later went to Yahaya. Despite Kangiwa’s approach to the court to reclaim his House of Representatives mandate, he eventually lost out but remained in APC until he was given another chance to pick the senatorial ticket for the 2023 general elections.
However, the political game seems to be in favour of the APC candidate in the Argungu Emirate which constitutes Kebbi North Senatorial District. Apart from frequent defection of PDP stakeholders to APC, the ancient town is dominated by bigwigs of APC, which include the present National Organising Secretary of the ruling party, Alhaji Muhammad Suleiman Argungu and the deputy governorship candidate of Kebbi State APC. They are producing a positive impact in swelling the ranks of the party in the district.
Nasarawa
In Nasarawa North where Governor Abdulahi Sule hails from, incumbent Senator Godiya Akwashiki is struggling to return to the red chamber amidst stiff opposition. The district comprises only three LGAs – namely Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon and Wamba LGAs.
Akwashiki, who won the election in 2019 under the APC platform, is now the SDP senatorial candidate after he dumped the ruling party last year.
Akwashiki attempted to contest the 2022 primaries in APC but was resisted by some forces in the party. His withdrawal paved way for the emergence of the governor’s close associate, Danladi Haliru Envuluanza as senatorial candidate. The incumbent senator, who says he will defeat his closest opponent and retain his seat today, accused the governor of frustrating his re-election aspiration.
Akwashiki has a virile political structure in the district which is giving the candidates of PDP and APC sleepless nights. His major strength is his grassroots popularity. This emanated from his many grassroots intervention programmes that enabled him to empower thousands of people in his zone. Defeating him in the 2023 senatorial elections will not be a tea party. But analysts say the SDP is not a popular party in the state. This made the campaign a hard task for Akwashiki. There are fears it could also lead to defeat for him at the polls today.
The APC senatorial candidate has a deep pocket to battle the incumbent. He is also very popular in the senatorial district and many people see him as the best alternative to Akwashiki in today’s election. He is also enjoying the support of the incumbent governor and the ruling party. He is seen by many observers as the man to beat in the contest all things being equal. The PDP candidate, Nathaniel Aboki, hails from Nasarawa Eggon LGA like the party’s gubernatorial candidate, the SDP and APC senatorial candidate.
Sokoto
The incumbent governor Tambuwal is feeling politically fortified. He is squaring up in against a two-term Senator, Danbaba Dambuwa of the APC. The governor is regarded as the favourite in the race, meaning Dambuwa may not be returning to the senate. The contest in the district that comprises seven LGAS will be tough. The local governments are Dange Shuni, Tureta, Bodinga, Tambuwal, Shagari, Kebbe and Yabo. Though, PDP and APC have appreciable support in the district, there are speculations that external forces are backing Danbaba of APC to stop Tambuwal. In 2019 he reclaimed his mandate in the court after suffering defeat from APC’s Abubakar Shehu Tambuwal.
But the PDP candidate who is the incumbent governor of the state will not be an easy prey for the incumbent senator. All eyes are on the district as voting commences today.
The battle in Sokoto East will also be interesting as new entrant in to the political circle, Ibrahim Lamido of APC is waxing stronger against PDP’s Shuaibu Gwanda Gobir, a seasoned politician who also served in the House of Representatives for two terms on the platform of ANPP and PDP respectively. Lamido is banking on the grassroots support and structures laid by Wamakko, whose loyalists are pushing for the candidate. The district is believed to be a stronghold of APC.
Gwanda, an amazingly vocal politician, is rated to be a popular candidate. His tenacity remains a factor in his favour. Hitherto, Gwanda may also be leveraging on the popularity of former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa who is also from the district. Bafarawa is expected to work for the party as PDP campaign council chairman. The Director-General of PDP Campaign Council, Yusuf Suleiman, is also from same zone to support Gwanda.
The candidate was one time council chairman, a Commissioner during Wamakko’s administration, served also under Tambuwal as Chairman SUBEB before picking the party’s Senate ticket for the 2023 elections.
