High stakes, intrigues, godfatherism will all come to play as the All-Progressives Congress, APC, holds its governorship primaries in 30 States Thursday.
The process will be a mere affirmation of 13 incumbent governors in Kaduna, Enugu, Jigawa, Akwa-Ibom, Delta, Cross Rivers and Ebonyi states.
Others where the process will be a fait accompli are Kano, Niger, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.
Further checks showed that out of the 17 first term governors, four of them may have to struggle for the tickets with rivals, who have vowed not to submit themselves to consensus arrangement.
In Oyo State, the consensus option appears not to be working out as aspirants have readied themselves for primaries as of press time on Wednesday. Though there were reports that the party hierarchy was working in favor of the senator representing Oyo South, Abiodun Ali, there was no agreement among the 11 aspirants to adopt one of them.
But the consensus option appeared to have worked in Lagos and Ogun states, where candidates have been adopted by stakeholders ahead of the primaries.
Though one aspirant has been quoted in the media as demanding a direct primary, insisting on participating in the primaries in Lagos State, it appears that the stakeholders are largely speaking with one voice.
In Taraba State, Governor Abu Kefas has three contenders for his seat with a former member of the Northeast Development Commission, Chief David Kente, seen as the most visible challenger.
Feelers from Jalingo confirmed that Kente has, however, announced his withdrawal from the race on Wednesday at a news conference in the state capital.
The aspirant, who dismissed insinuation that he took the step having been financially induced by Governor Kefas, stated that his decision followed appeals and pressures from party leaders in the Northeast state.
In Plateau State, the incumbent, Caleb Mutfwang has a rival in Commander Yilchin Jan Bida who has boasted to defeat the governor in a direct primary.
He told journalists in Jos, that he is not intimidated by the prospect of challenging the incumbent governor.
“I want to inform the people of Plateau State that I am still in the race. Rumors are flying around that I have stepped down, but I want to make it clear that I remain fully committed to contesting the primary on Thursday” he said.
Speculations are, however, rife that Commander Bida has been disqualified ahead of today’s primary in Jos.
Also Read: APC crises deepen as aspirants defy consensus
In Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Fubara, who appears to have been left politically stranded following the outcome of the state and National Assembly primaries in which his loyalists lost out to the foot soldiers of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, late last night withdrew from the primaries holding today.
This will pave way for Honorable Kingsley Chinda as the sole aspirant as report indicated that Tonye Cole had earlier stepped down.
Fubara, in a message to the people of Rivers State, which he personally signed and titled: “My decision to withdraw from the Rivers State gubernatorial primaries,” said he was taking the decision in the interest of the state.
The message reads: “After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my family, friends, and associates, I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to withdraw from the APC gubernatorial primaries. I do so with a full heart and with a firm commitment to support whoever emerges as the candidate of our great party.
“Leadership is ultimately about sacrifice. There comes a time when personal ambition must yield to the greater good of the people. Rivers State is bigger than any individual, and at this critical moment, the peace, stability, and unity of our dear state must take precedence over every personal interest.
“To my supporters who stood firmly with me throughout this journey who gave their time, resources, prayers, and unwavering hope, I offer my deepest gratitude. I understand the disappointment, the anger, and the pain many of you may feel. Much has indeed been invested and much sacrificed along the way. But please know that your loyalty and trust were never in vain. My silence over this period was deliberate and strategic, guided always by the higher interest of our state and our people.
“As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace. Some truths are best borne quietly, not out of fear, but out of wisdom and restraint for the sake of peace and a greater purpose.
“It is enough to say that I have faced immense pressures and difficult choices, but my love for Rivers State remains greater than anything else.
“I sincerely thank our great party, the APC, for the platform and support extended to me throughout this process.
“I also express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his support and encouragement.
“The APC remains our collective home, and I urge all party faithful and supporters to remain steadfast and committed as we continue to build a stronger and more united future together.
“Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside from participating in the upcoming River’s state Gubernatorial election not out of weakness, fear, or surrender, but out of conviction and sacrifice so that Rivers State may move forward in peace and unity and I remain committed to serving the good people of Rivers state till the end of my term.”
Benue State governor, Hya Cynth Alia, has two aspirants as his rivals for the APC ticket in the North Central State.
They include Architect Terwase Orbunde and Dr Mathias Byuan.
Party sources, however, revealed that Governor Alia may face challenges, following indications that he has failed to resolve the misgivings between him and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume.
In Kwara State, investigation revealed that the battle for the APC ticket is a two-horse race between Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki, the favored choice of the sitting governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and incumbent senator representing Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha.
Interestingly, Governor Abdulrazaq has picked the ticket for the Kwara Central, currently occupied by Senator Mustapha.
Also, in Oyo State, the party has confirmed the participation of senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sharafadeen Ali; former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and other aspirants in the governorship primaries in Oyo State, which is scheduled to hold today.
Other candidates, who are expected to take part in the exercise are: former deputy governor of the state, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan; Barrister Hakeem Agbaje, Engineer Akeem Alao, Prince Musibau Asatoka Asanike, Dr. Ololade Usman Bakare, among others.
Also, the party disclosed that 90 aspirants were cleared for the House of Assembly primaries, held on Wednesday.
Chairman of the Governorship and House of Assembly Primaries Committee, Mr. Taofeek Olawale Abdulsalam, said the screening committee cleared all the aspirants to participate in the primaries.
Abdulsalam said: “All the aspirants who purchased the governorship form have been cleared by the screening committee to participate in the contest for the party’s ticket as candidate in 2027 general election.
“The party has put necessary machinery in place at ensuring a hitch-free primaries today.
“After the conduct of the primaries, the onus now lies on the national secretariat of our party to announce the results.”
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
