The viable opposition parties, which pose a challenge to the ruling PDP in the state are the Congress for Progressive Party, CPC, Democratic Peoples Party, DPP and Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

An interesting aspect of the political position of other over thirty political parties in respect to partaking in the governorship election is that of a consensus for Wamakko.

All other political parties, which operate under the umbrella of Sokoto State Political Parties Association, except the CPC, ACN and DPP all of which have held their state congresses.

The DPP has repositioned and has held a number of press conferences, meetings.

The governorship candidate during the 2007 election, Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, is expected to contest under the same party and the State Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Ummarun Kwabo has vouched that the party would spring surprises in the 2011 election.

The CPC has three governorship aspirants that include Engineer Abubakar Aliyu Yabo, a former manager of Sokoto Urban Development Authority, SUDA and Managing Director of Federal Housing Authority, Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji Gusau, a former sole Administrator of Sokoto North Local Government and Alhaji Dahiru Yusuf Yabo, who served under the Bafarawa administration as Commissioner for Water Resources.

One thing that has happened to the PDP is its unity. Although Governor Aliyu Wamakko has maintained that the PDP in the state is one and indivisible party, there were registered worries in some quarters about the question of the “old” and “new” PDP, which depicted the old and new entrants into it. The problem has long been solved and Wamakko is now the party’s governorship candidate.

Only about two weeks ago, the PDP received a total of 390,299 decampees from other parties, including some members of the House of Assembly.

Niger opts for zoning

Only five of six registered political parties are visible in Niger State.

They are the PDP , ACN, ANPP, CPC and APGA. Out of the five, four PDP, ACN, ANPP and CPC have been able to present gubernatorial aspirants while APGA is yet to be identified with any aspirant.

The PDP in the state had adopted the zoning system which is aimed at simplifying their election process.

This adoption by the stakeholders has perhaps translated into the eventual emergence of the incumbent governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu as the sole candidate for the party in the state.

The chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Abdulraham Enagi recently reminded members of the party on the zoning arrangement which he said remains and that it will not be changed for “equity and fairness to all zones.”

The party chairman who was addressing Party stalwarts at the women campaign rally at the U.K. Bello Arts Theatre three weeks ago called on the aspirants to “respect the zoning formula and seek only for offices zoned to their areas in order to give peace a chance”

Two aspirants who out of ignorance or flagrant disobedience to the policy who attempted to collect forms and contest for the gubernatorial seat were denied the sale.

The duo were fiery Hotline publisher, Alhaji Sani Kontagora and former House of Representatives member from Shiroro Local government, Alhaji Umaru.

With this development, the incumbent governor Dr. Aliyu is set to have a smooth run for a return ticket of the party.

The smooth run in his party may not however be automatic at the main election as several other candidates are jostling for the seat.

Some of the interested aspirants include the erstwhile Chief whip of the House of Representatives for eight years, Alhaji Bawa Bwari and former commissioner in the Engineer Abdulkadir Kure’s administration, Alhaji Abubakar Azozo and a host of others who have defected from the PDP to ACN in order to exercise their franchise.

Enemies unite against Suswam in Benue

The immediate past governor of the State, Senator George Akume and his political godfather Dr. Iorchia Ayu who recently buried their differences to launch an onslaught against Governor Suswam have been linked to the emergence of Prof Steven Torkuma Ugba as governorship candidate in Benue State and have continued to strategize to ensure that the Suswam administration is kicked out of power at the forthcoming gubernatorial polls.

Senator Akume and Dr. Ayu are reportedly the key sponsors of Prof Ugba’s candidature and they seem to be doing a good job of selling the joker to the people of the state especially at the grassroots.

They have also capitalized on the perceived lack of internal democracy in the State chapter of the PDP and the disenchantment generated by the controversial PDP primaries to appeal to the people of the state on the need for change of party loyalty and the leadership of the state.

Prof Ugba’s candidature is being sold to the people of the state and his sponsors and supporters are doing a good job of it.

However it is left to be seen how he would gain prominence over the seating Governor who has left no one in doubt that he is not prepared to relinquish power at least before the next four years.

Governor Gabriel Suswam has rightly or wrongly established a formidable political machine in the state and he seemed to be in firm grip of affairs in the state.

He would be banking on his accomplishments in office in the last three and half years to convince the people to vote him back into office.

Suswam has indeed made a mark for himself especially in his urban and rural development strides which has earned him numerous local and international awards?