Politics

One Year In Office: Check Out List Of State Governors Who Are Yet To Fight Their Predecessors

Published

8 months ago

May 21, 2024

Twenty governors will mark their first year in office in less than ten days.

A few of them ascended to governorship through the endorsement of their predecessors, who cleared the path for them amidst a pool of other aspiring politicians.

In Nigeria, conflicts between political godfathers and their proteges, known as godsons, are quite common.

Some of the most notable recent conflicts include Rabiu Kwankwaso versus Umar Ganduje, Peter Obi versus Willie Obiano, Udom Emmanuel versus Godswill Akpabio, Adams Oshiomhole and Godwin Obaseki, Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola, among others.

Currently, the clash between Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and his predecessor, ex-governor Nyesom Wike, has become the focal point of news coverage.

Former governor Nasir El-Rufai and Governor Uba Sani are entangled in a conflict in Kaduna, while Governor Alia and ex-governor George Akume engage in a struggle for party structure supremacy in Benue State.

However, in certain states, the transition from incumbents to successors has been uneventful. Although disputes may arise, they have yet to attract media attention.

Kano State:

After enduring years of political setbacks at the hands of his former deputy, Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State seems to have mastered the art of being a political mentor.

In 2015, he reluctantly supported his then-deputy, Umar Ganduje, for the governorship seat, a decision that nearly cost him his political stronghold.

In subsequent elections, Kwankwaso backed his son-in-law, Abba Yusuf, but faced defeat. In 2023, the same ticket was replicated, and it proved successful.

Currently, both Kwankwaso and his son-in-law seem to be directing their efforts towards the common adversary, Ganduje.

Jigawa:

The Minister of Defence and former Governor of Jigawa State, Abubakar Badaru, and his successor Umar Namadi have maintained a tranquil relationship. Badaru handpicked his deputy as his successor, and the succession plan seemed meticulously executed in 2019.

Delta:

In 2023, Delta State witnessed a shift as a candidate endorsed by James Ibori failed to secure the governorship for the first time.

Ifeanyi Okowa, broke the tradition when his candidate, Sheriff Oborevwori, defeated Ibori’s favored candidate, David Edevbie.

Okowa explained his decision, citing fairness and the need to respect rotational politics within the state.

Despite these events, Delta State has remained tranquil since the election, with both the incumbent and his predecessor maintaining a peaceful atmosphere.

Enugu State:

In 2022, Former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a member of the influential G5 group, threw his support behind Peter Mbah before the primaries. Despite a push by the Labour Party during the election, the PDP managed to retain control of the state.

However, Ugwuanyi faced a significant setback in his bid for the senate seat, losing heavily to Okechukwu Ezea of the Labour Party.

Since leaving office, Ugwuanyi has shifted his focus to the G5 struggle for control within the PDP at the national level, while Mbah appears to be firmly in charge of governance and the PDP in Enugu State. The former governor’s silence on state governance suggests a harmonious relationship with his successor.

Sokoto:

Aliyu Wamakko has played a significant role in the leadership tussles in Sokoto State since 1999. His endorsement of Aminu Tambuwal in 2015 led to a fallout, but he made a comeback by backing Ahmad Aliyu last year. Currently, both Wamakko and Aliyu appear to be content with the political arrangement in the state.

Kebbi State:

Former Governor Atiku Bagudu threw his weight behind Nasir Idris during the primaries, resulting in victory over former Majority Leader of the Senate, Yahaya Abdullahi.

Bagudu’s support for the former President of the Teachers’ Union deterred heavyweight contenders like former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, from entering the race for the party ticket.

One year into the administration, Bagudu and his successor have not engaged in any power struggles over control of the party structure in the state.

Cross River:

Governor Bassey Otu and his predecessor, Ben Ayade, appear to have a cooperative relationship since the last election. Although Ayade endorsed Otu as the gubernatorial candidate, the endorsement faced challenges. Since losing the senatorial election, Ayade has remained politically inactive, seemingly relinquishing control of the political structure to his successor.

Ebonyi:

Dave Umahi, the former Governor of Ebonyi State, fought a tough battle to ascend to power. He single-handedly nominated Francis Nwifuru as the candidate of the APC and ensured his victory.

Umahi, now the Minister of Works, seems focused on his federal duties, while the governor is handling affairs at the state level.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu emerges as a prominent figure among political godfathers in the resurgence of democracy. Since 2007, he has orchestrated the elevation of three governors in Lagos State while maintaining control over the political structure in the state.

Politics

Edo Guber Election Petition Tribunal to Reconvene Tomorrow

Published

12 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Naijablitznews

The ongoing legal battle regarding the September 21st governorship election in Edo State, the state’s election petition tribunal convened on Saturday, January 18, 2025, to consider the petition filed by Ighodalo Akintunde Asuelimen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Asuelimen is challenging the election victory of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The tribunal, operating under petition number EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, is tasked with reviewing the claims brought against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other respondents involved in the contentious election process.

During the proceedings, the tribunal provisionally admitted a plethora of documents submitted by the petitioners, a step viewed as crucial in validating their claims.

Counsel for the petitioners outlined the verification process undertaken by all parties prior to the submission of diverse documents as evidence, despite facing objections from the opposing respondents. These objections were noted, with the respondents opting to reserve their arguments for the final written addresses, indicating a protracted legal battle ahead.

The tribunal’s provisional admission of these extensive documents is one step for the petitioners, albeit with the understanding that further conditions may be imposed before these documents are fully accepted as part of the case record. The evidence presented included a total of over 70 exhibits from various local government areas, along with multiple forms and booklets that are critical to substantiating the petitioners’ claims.

Among the documents provisionally admitted were:
1. Certified True Copies (CTCs) of Forms EC8B from various wards across Akoko Edo, Egor, Esan Central, Esan North East, and Esan South East.
2. Forms EC8EL and EC8D, marked as Exhibits PA1 and PA2.
3. CTCs of Form EC8D from 18 polling units, designated as Exhibits PA3-PA20.
4. An extensive array of 320 copies of polling unit forms EC8A, admitted as Exhibit PCA1-PCA320.
5. 58 CTCs of Form EC8A obtained from INEC’s IREV portal, marked as Exhibits BDA1-BDA58.
6. 308 CTC polling unit booklets containing Form BC25B, noted as Exhibits PCB1-PCB308.

The atmosphere at the tribunal on Saturday was notably charged, with heightened security measures in place as armed Police and other security operatives ensured a secure environment, reflecting the increasing tensions surrounding the tribunal’s sessions leading up to this point.

The extended hearing on Saturday was indicative of the tribunal’s commitment to thoroughly addressing the substantial evidential submissions made by Ighodalo Akintunde Asuelimen and his legal team.

Following the extensive examination of the documents, the tribunal adjourned, scheduling its next session for Monday, January 20, 2025.

This upcoming session promises to be pivotal as the tribunal continues to navigate the complexities of the case and the implications it holds for the political landscape of Edo State.

All eyes will be on the tribunal as it picks up where it left off, amidst a charged atmosphere and a community eager for resolution.

Politics

Just in: Senator Nwoko reportedly dumps PDP for APC

Published

1 day ago

January 18, 2025

Austin Ojomah

Senator Ned Nwoko has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The move, confirmed through reliable sources, has sparked discussions within political circles about its potential implications for the 2027 elections.

According to reports, Senator Nwoko’s decision to join the APC is influenced by speculation that former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is eyeing a Senate seat in the next electoral cycle.

This development is said to have prompted the senator to reconsider his political alliances, aligning with a party that may better support his future ambitions.

Senator Nwoko, who has been a prominent figure in Delta State politics and a key member of the PDP, is known for his strong advocacy for developmental projects and his stance on national unity.

Politics

Ighodalo’ V Okpebolo: PDP tenders 1000 documents at Edo Tribunal

Published

2 days ago

January 18, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election, Dr Asue Ighodalo on Friday, opened his case challenging the victory of Sen. Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by tendering over 1000 documents used in the election, in support of his petition.

Ighodalo and th PDP in a petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024 are contesting Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Okpebholo, winner of the election alleging that there were irregularities during the exercise.

Ighodalo claimed that he scored the highest valid votes and not Okpebholo and wondered why the INEC would declare him the winner.

When hearing resumes on Friday, the Lead counsel to the Petitioners, Adetunji Oyeyipo, SAN, tendered from the bar Certified True Copy (CTC) of Form EC8E which is the INEC’s final declaration result sheet of the poll in support of the petitioners’ cases.

Kenneth Mozia, who conducted the presentations at the instance of Oyeyipo also tendered CTC of Form EC8D; the summary of results from Local Government Areas Collation at the State Level.

Other documents tenders were Certified True Copies of Form EC8Cs, covering the 18 Local Government Areas in the state, CTC of Forms EC8B (Wards Results Sheets) used for the conduct of the election in the 192 Wards in the state were also tendered by Mozia, all in support of the petitioner’s cases.

The petitioners further tendered in evidence 320 Certified True Copies of Form EC8A documents (polling Units results sheets),

While presenting before the court 318 CTCs of INEC’s Polling Units Booklets, each containing Form EC25D, Mozia, again, tendered in court 58 CTCs of Form EC8A (IREV).

Reacting, counsel to INEC, Governor Monday Okpebholo and APC (1st to 3rd respondents), Kanu Agabi, SAN, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, SAN, and D.C. Denwigwe, SAN, who held the brief of Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, objected to the admissibility of the documents

The respondent’s counsel told the court that they would be abducing reasons for their objections to the petitioners’ CTC documents at the final address stage of the petition.

Justice Wilfred Kpochi led the tribunal in response provisionally admitted all the documents tendered in evidence and marked the same as exhibits.

“Learned counsel to the respondents shall state their reasons for their objections at the address stage”, Justice Kpochi held.

Hearing on the petition continues tomorrow, Saturday, December 18, 2024 as the petitioners are expected to tender more documents in support of their petitions.