2023 Power Play: Governors, Ex-Governors To Hand Powers To Their Children

Newsonline has done extensive on the spot and breaking coverage of the primary election of the two major political parties, APC and PDP, the role of incumbent governors and ex-governors. The candidates that have been returned, and the incoming APC presidential election.

 

The political and social media space of Nigeria was inundated with news across the 36 states and 774 local governments. The power tussle of the two dominating political parties, the All Progressive Congress, APC, the ruling party, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the main opposition, that was in power at the federal level for 16 years uninterrupted democracy.

 

Newsonline reported how events leading to the Peoples Democratic Party primary led to the resignation of one of the presidential aspirants, a former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, and joining of Labour Party, citing foul play. Read more.

 

The power play in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leading to the primary election also lead to the resignation of the Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; two times Deputy President of the Senate in the 7th and 8th National Assembly, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. Both are contesting for the governorship seats in their respective states of Abia and Enugu. While Abaribe defected to the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Ekweremadu is still watching the game unfold. Read more.

 

The political tsunami that took Peter Obi, Ike Ekweremadu and Enyinnaya Abaribe from the PDP, has also helped both incumbent and ex-governors to build political dynasty around their wards. Incumbent and ex-governors have played a good power play that would ensure their children take over from them.

 

2023 POWER PLAY IN THE SOUTH

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State was among the major players in the 2023 power play, having successfully given the Peoples Democratic Party ticket of Ika North East in the state House of Assembly to her daughter, Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, who returned unopposed.

The battle for the soul of Delta in the 2023 power play was strongly fought by Okowa the incumbent and former governor, James Ibori.

 

James Ibori ensured that while he took some blows from Okowa as the incumbent governor, her daughter, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, returned as the PDP, ticket holder for Ethiope Federal constituency, with a total vote of 46 against Okowa’s favorite, Hon. Ben Igbaka, who had 22 votes.

 

The 2023 power play drove to Ekiti state, where the ex-governor, Ayodele fayose did ensure that his son, Joju Fayose, clinched the ticket of PDP for Ekiti Central Federal constituency 1, comprising Ado and Irepodu/Ifelodu LGAs, with a total vote of 69, to beat his rival Deji Adeosu.

 

The former governor, whose political empire seems to be in trouble has ensured that his dynasty continues in his son.

 

Oyo state was not left out in the power play, as the son of the late former governor of Oyo state, Abiola Ajimobi, Idris Abiola-Ajimobi, clinched the APC ticket, unopposed to represent Ibadan South-West 2 in the state House of Assembly.

 

2023 POWER PLAY IN THE NORTH

The Northern incumbent and former governors also ensured that the coming 2023 general election has a guaranteed place for their political empires through their children.

 

While former head of state, Sani Abacha may be seen as the an enemy of Nigeria purse, not many know that his political empire is preserved in his son by his political soldiers.

 

Alhaji Muhammad Abacha, the late son of the head of state who died on 8th June 1998, clinched the PDP governorship ticket of PDP, with a total vote of 736 against close rival, Jafar Sani Bello, who scored 710 votes for Kano State.

 

“The Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Alhaji Mohammed Jamu, said the primaries were legally conducted with validly-elected delegates and supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, police and State Security Service operatives.”

READ ALSO: Peter Obi: We Won’t Allow Campaign of Igbo Presidential Candidate in North- Arewa

Then to Jigawa State, where the former governor, Sule Lamido, maintained his political dynasty by ensuring his son, Mustapha Sule Lamido, won the governorship ticket of PDP, with a total vote 829, against Saleh Shehu, a former minister of power, his rival.

 

Accepting the mantle, Sule lamido said, “As we move to the next stage of campaign and elections, I ask you to trust me, work with me, campaign with me and vote for me so that we can make the state great again. And I can on you to come out massively to vote for PDP.

“I urge all of us to avoid politics of division and disunity. The interest of the state is far and above any personal or sectional interest.

“To our traditional rulers and elders, I have great respect for them and will consult them regularly on issues that will assist in moving the state forward. I pledge to campaign peacefully, but vigorously, I therefore as for your support and prayers.”

 

Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the incumbent governor of Kano state, sacrificed one of his two sons that threw in their weight into the 2023 power play.

Governor Ganduje, ensured that his son Umar Ganduje, secured the APC ticket for Tofa, Rimi Gado Federal constituency.

 

The Convener, Northern Elders Forum, Ango Abdullahi, was one of the masters in the 2023 power play. Alhaji Ango Abdullahi, secured for his son, Sodiq Ango Abdullahi, who is one of the victims of the Kaduna-Abuja train attack on March 28th 2022, who is still in captivity, the Federal House Representatives ticket for Sabon Gari Federal constituency under PDP.

 

The NEF convener ensured that his son who is still in captivity as the time of reporting, won with 28 votes to defeat other aspirants such as Hadiza Muhammad, Salisu Abdulhamid and Misis Paulina.

 

Malam Nasir El-Rufai was another master in the 2023 power play, as his son, Bello El-Rufai, clinched the APC ticket for Kaduna North Federal Constituency.

 

Announcing his triumph Bello on twitter said, ” “It is with deep and heartfelt humility and determination that we accept the victory of our nomination as the flag-bearers of the @OfficialAPCNg for the seat of House Of Reps (Kaduna North Local Govt).

 

“As we transition to the next phase of campaign, We urge you to trust us, work with us, campaign with us to make Kaduna North great again. We hope you will put massive support behind us come February 2023 at the general elections. Thank you all.”