The upcoming governorship elections appear to be unpredictable for the first time in many years.
This comes as some state governors seeking reelection or who have chosen their preferred successors are in a state of panic ahead of the March 11 gubernatorial election.
The development is a result of the opposition’s shocking performance in the recently concluded presidential and National Assembly elections on February 25.
Many governors are concerned about the results of the presidential and National Assembly elections last week, as the outcome of elections is now unpredictable.
Against all odds, the Labour Party defeated sitting governors as well as experienced politicians hoping to join their former colleagues in the National Assembly.
Notably, the Labour Party was thrust into the spotlight by its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who joined the party just eight months before the election and propelled the ‘obedient movement’.
Prior to the presidential election on February 25, the LP was thought to be incapable of making inroads in some of the states it won.
To many people’s surprise, the party made a huge stride by winning twelve states, including Lagos State, a stronghold of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Data from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, revealed that approximately twelve governors lost their states to opposition parties, including the LP, during the presidential election.
Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Simon Lalong (Plateau), and others lost their states to the opposition.
If the trend seen in the presidential election on February 25 repeats itself in the gubernatorial election, some state governors may not be re-elected or produce successors, causing fear and anxiety among some of them.
Enugu
The LP had a strong showing in Enugu in the presidential and National Assembly elections, capturing seven of the state’s eight House of Representatives seats. It also secured one of the three Senate seats.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a candidate in the election, was soundly defeated by Labour Party candidate Okey Ezea in the race for the coveted seat of Enugu North senatorial district.
Since then, the entire political structure of the state has been shaken.
The state’s PDP-led government is said to have recently met with Catholic church leaders in the state to solicit support for its candidate, Peter Mbah.
Meanwhile, the LP candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, whom PDP supporters see as a threat to Obi, is hoping to capitalize on Obi’s votes.
Hon Malachy Okey Onyechi, a chieftain of the LP in the state, said that the party would win the gubernatorial election just as it did the presidential election.
Onyechi, who is also his party’s State House of Assembly candidate for the Nsukka West Constituency, stated that Edeoga represents a breath of fresh air for the people of Enugu and that he will work to save the state from decay.
“We don’t have any fear regarding the upcoming election; we will come out on top just as we did in the presidential election. “Our candidate represents a breath of fresh air for the people of Enugu,” he said.
Lagos
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is seeking a second term. However, the outcome of his state’s presidential election was less than he had hoped.
In Lagos, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, defeated Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.
The LP also won four seats in the National Assembly.
Days after the presidential election, there have been numerous intrigues aimed at gaining the support of the Igbos, who allegedly have the most significant block votes after the indigenous people of the State.
The APC is concerned that Igbos will vote for the Labour Party’s (LP) gubernatorial candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.
Concerned about the development, an APC chieftain, Femi Fani-Kayode, recently stated that the party would not allow Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate, to hand over the State to Igbos.
Fani-Kayode claimed that during the presidential election, Yorubas and Igbos were tortured in the Southeast.
In a series of tweets, he also claimed that some Igbos were killed in the country’s southeast for voting for Bola Tinubu.
Meanwhile, Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, said Igbos deserve protection and respect for their enormous contribution to the development of the state.
Adediran made the remarks on Sunday during a town hall meeting with an Igbo group, Ndigbo Na Lagos Bu Otu, in Surulere.
“Appreciation of Lagosians of the first order who understand that all Igbo people in Lagos are one of those who have contributed immensely to our prosperity in the State of Lagos,” he said.
Sanwo-government, Olu’s in addition to meeting with Igbo stakeholders in the state, has also released impounded vehicles to their owners. These overtures are thought to be aimed at gaining votes.
However, a prominent APC member in the state stated that his party has made plans to win the election. He stated that a deal has been reached with some ethnic blocs in the state, taking into account its shortcomings during the last election.
“I can’t tell you everything. It’s a well-thought-out game plan. We as a party have learned a valuable lesson from the last election. “It’ll be a breeze,” he predicted.
Delta
The Labour Party, LP, has emerged as a lovely bride sought after by the state’s ruling coalition of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Remember that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP’s vice presidential candidate, failed to deliver his state to the party.
Okowa has since canvassed religious leaders for support for his candidate, Sheriff Oborevwori.
LP in Delta recently distanced itself from rumors that it was in talks with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa ahead of the March 11 governorship election in the state.
Tony Ezeagwu, the LP State Chairman, stated in a press statement issued on Monday in Asaba that the rumors were false.
He stated that the party’s supporters in the state were steadfast in their determination to win the governorship election and would never switch their support to another party.
However, some Peter Obi supporters in the state have pledged to support APC candidate Ovie Omo-Agege in Saturday’s governorship election.
Ochuko Edafe of the Delta Central Coalition of Obidients Movement claimed that ‘Obidients’ vote for individuals rather than parties.
“We, Obidients, follow the footsteps and watch the character of our principal, His Excellency Mr Peter Obi, and when we came down home to our State, Delta, we decided we are going to look out for the same character and among all the people running for Governor of Delta State.
“His Excellency, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has those qualities and character, and as you can see, he is a man of the people who is ready to meet with the people anytime,” he said.
Rivers
Only a few Peter Obi supporters would be pleased with Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike. Many of them believed he worked against their presidential candidate in favor of APC’s Bola Tinubu.
Wike is said to have been making moves to appease some Igbo groups in order to ensure that his candidate, Siminialaye Fubara, succeeds him.
He has increased his efforts to entice some of Obi’s supporters with enticing promises to deliver his candidate.
Meanwhile, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, an APC chieftain, has urged the people to be prepared and speak with one voice during the March 11 governorship election, just as they did during the presidential election.
Eze has urged Igbo residents in Rivers State to reject any invitation to meet with Governor Wike for any reason.
He claimed Wike used every State apparatus at his disposal to render useless every legitimate effort made to ensure that the outcome of their franchise was reflected in the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
