ELECTION heat is on in Rivers State with aspirants running around to secure the ticket of their parties. Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi last week Wednesday formerly declared his intention to seek a second term at a very colourful event he tagged ‘change that we can see.’

He is not the only one gunning for governorship on the platform of his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.  A lady, Mrs Denisada Ben Fiabema from Okrika local government area of the state is also contesting. Until she came up with her aspiration, she was relatively unknown in the circle of her PDP and the state at large. Mrs Fiabema retired as a Permanent Secretary in the state civil service.

It was not easy for her to be cleared by her party as she was disqualified by the party’s screening committee at the state level. She had  to appeal to  the Senator Tunde Ogbeha-led appeal committee of the party set up by the national secretariat before she was finally cleared. At the state level, the screening committee hinged its position on the allegation that she was barely two years in the party and as such was not qualified to run for the office.

Meantime, Mrs Fiabema, who joined the party precisely on February 2008 has assured that she would tackle the challenges of poverty in the state when she comes on stream as governor of the state. She also promised to restore what she termed family values.

Celestine Omehia, who was also governor of the state until he was deposed by a Supreme Court verdict that installed Chibuike Amaechi as governor, is in the race. He is a cousin of the governor. Like others Celestine is also preaching a message of positive and transformational change in the state.

Another top contender but this time on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, is Dr Abiye Sekibo.

Sekibo, Amaechi and Celestine were key players in the political structure of the former governor of the state, Dr Peter Odili. A later split in the structure gave rise to two major contending factions, one led by governor Amaechi and other by his erstwhile political god father, Dr Peter Odili.

Abiye and Celestine remained with Odili in the Peoples Democratic Party until recently when Abiye crossed over to the Action Congress of Nigeria to pursue his gubernatorial bid. Abiye from all indications appears a force in his party. Other governorship aspirants in the ACN are Dr Clement Eke, Abel Tariah and Aleruchi Williams. The political heat at the moment is within the PDP probably because the party’s primary is around the corner.

Lamido inches towards re-election in Jigawa

In Jigawa State, the contest for the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP   appears a done deal following dearth of aspirants contesting against the incumbent  governor, Alh Sule Lamido. He was cleared last week by the party as its gubernatorial candidate to contest the 2011 elections in the state.

Incumbency factor explains the dearth of aspirants in the state. In Jigawa, Lamido is PDP personified,  he has a total grip of the party and decides who gets what. Other critical stakeholders had since surrendered to his domineering influence in the party.

Consequently, the political atmosphere in Jigawa appears certain, as  Lamido is looking beyond his party and strategizing on how to retain the seat he trounced all comers to claim barely four years ago.

It’s a crowded race in BayelsaIt’s a crowded race in Bayelsa

Despite the power of incumbency at the disposal of Governor Timipre Sylva, his return bid to Creek Haven, the seat of power in the predominantly riverine Bayelsa State is not automatic yet.

Though Sylva controls the PDP structure, he has to beat a lot of aspirants to pick a re-election ticket.

Right now, there are about nine aspirants who have indicated their intention to contest against Sylva, a proof that the governor will not have an easy ride this time around.

With the control of the party structure in the hands of Sylva and his worming his way into the good books of President Goodluck Jonathan after an earlier frosty relationship, his loyalists are optimistic that the pendulum would swing in his favour.

The PDP aspirants who are determined to dislodge the incumbent governor include Francis Doukpola, the man believed to have won the state governorship polls in 1999 under the platform of the All Peoples Party (APP) but Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He later moved to the PDP and contested in 2007 but lost.

There is also Peremobowei Ebebi, erstwhile deputy to Sylva who was impeached and is in court challenging his removal and George Ombeh among others.

However the entry of Timi Alaibe, the former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta into the race under the platform of Labour Party penultimate week has altered the political equation and power balance in the state.

Regarded as the only aspirant that can give the incumbent a run for his money the former NDDC chieftain had contested for the same office in 2003 against Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and lost. In 2007, he backed out midway, due to pressure from Abuja leaving the primaries for Goodluck Jonathan and others.

He was a strong member of the PDP until he dumped the party for Labour to actualise his ambition.

Unlike in 2003 and 2007 when he backed out midway due to pressure from the Presidency this time around Alaibe is prepared to go all the way.

Although he has not formally come to the state to flag off his campaign, groups such as Dream Bayelsa and Grassroots Initiative for Peace and Social Orientation have started drumming support for him.

But Governor Sylva camp is not relenting as his loyalists are also working round the clock to market their boss to Bayelsans citing the over 50 internal roads that were constructed within the capital city by the administration and other major projects like the Peace Park, the Judiciary building, Opolo Cottage Hospital project among others.

Its Doma against Al-Makura in Nasarawa

As the battle for the soul of Nasarawa State continues, observers of political undercurrents in the state have continued to watch how events will play out as  Governor Aliu Akwe Doma, angles for the re-election ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Doma had left no stone unturned at ensuring that he gets the second term ticket of the PDP with his campaign organization touring Local Councils of the state to commission some of his projects and thereby using the opportunity to canvass for votes from the electorates.

As this is playing out, the entrance of another bigwig, Alh Tanko Almakura into the governorship race sends a signal to the Lafia Government House.

Almakura is seen as the only aspirant that can give Governor Doma a good run in the forthcoming elections. Al_ Makura is a successful business man and has been a grassroots politician since thye Second Republic. His support base and  huge financial base also stand him out among the gubernatorial aspirants.

However, when Al_Makura entered the governorship race, it was under the platform of the PDP but sources said he might have left the PDP for the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) as he and his supporters were aggrieved over the outcome of the PDP congress that took place in the state recently.

Meanwhile, the outcome of the senatorial primaries is expected affect the faith of Doma. His predecessor in office, Abdullahi Adamu who is also a senatorial aspirant is seen as a force to reckon with in the forthcoming elections. Although, both men had tried to maintain a good working relationship in the past, some party members who are loyal to the ex-governor are not in support of the second term bid of Doma.

Governor Doma reportedly promised the Senate President, David Mark that the three senators from the state would be returned un-opposed, a dicey situation which might eventually work for or against Doma’s interest as there might be a large shake up within the PDP fold.

To sail through, observers said that Governor Doma still needs to put his house in order before the elections. Although, Doma has the party machinery and the power of incumbency, yet complaints and division within the PDP fold might affect the fortunes of the party as some party members are already opposing various endorsements for Governor Doma by various traditional rulers.

Some  stakeholders told Vanguard stated that if Governor Doma was given a second term ticket by the PDP, party affiliation would be left behind and a coalition would be formed to give an unflinching support to a consensus candidate who would give Governor Doma a run in 2011 elections. While the PDP has many candidates showing interest in the governorship seat, the opposition in the state has only a candidate in the person of Prof. Onje Gye Wado.

Onje Gye_ Wado (Northern Zone and ACN), a  professor of Law was first deputy governor of Nasarawa State (1999 _2003) under Alh Adamu Abdullahi, who was the first executive governor of Nasarawa State under a democratic dispensation. He is popularly regarded as the leader of the opposition in Nasarawa State. His struggle dates back to the military incursion in Nigeria and the struggle to return Nigeria to democracy, as an activist.

Ogun: Old vs young generation

COME Sunday, 9th January members of the crisis ridden PDP in Ogun State will know their standard flag bearer for the forthcoming April Polls. The outing scheduled for the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, the state capital is expected to put an end to the scheming and the shenanigans going on within the party. The party had in a long time been divided along two lines struggling for the soul of the party. The emergence of the standard flag bearer would probably end the struggling from within leaving those who would remain and those who would leave

At the centre of the struggle are two groups with one believed to be the Governor Olugbenga Daniel group in control of the party structure, the other led by Senator Jubril Martins_Kuye is struggling to take over the party machinery in the State.

While Daniel group comprises one Senator, four members of the House of Representatives, his commissioners, 11 members of the State House of Assembly, Special Advisers, Special Assistants and former  local Government Chairmen with the Party Executive in its kitty, the other group led by Senator Jubril Martins Kuye parades very influential politicians including two Senators Iyabo Obasanjo Bello and Lekan Mustapha, four members of the House of Representatives, 15 members of the House of Assembly led by Speaker Tunji Egbetokun, Chief Sule Onabiyi, former secretary to the State Government; Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola and Dr. Doyin Okupe.

The group is believed to enjoy the support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Omo_Ilu Foundation; a formidable group within the party. Speaker of the House of Representatives; Mr. Dimeji Bankole who hitherto had been part of the Jubril Martins Kuye group has since found a new romance with Daniel.

Expectedly, quite an array of aspirants have thrown their hats into the ring believing that the party, being the ruling party would ensure that the candidate that eventually emerges would become the Governor of the State. Those jostling for the gubernatorial ticket include, the Commissioner for Health; Dr. Kunle Salako, Senator Kola Bajomo, Mr. Kola Lawal, Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara, Gen Adetunji Idowu Olurin [rtd], Mr. Anthony Ojesina, Rev Jide Awosedo, Mr. Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka,  Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, Chief Mrs. Titi Ajanaku, Chief Jide Taiwo, Commander Rasheed Raji [rtd], Chief Ireti Oniyide and Dr. Bashir Akinyemi.

However ,the contest may be a straight fight between the Daniel camp which is believed to be behind Isiaka and the Jubril Martins Kuye believed to be sponsoring Olurin said to be a candidate of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The two candidates appear for now to be the most formidable within the party.

Whoever wins the PDP ticket would have to face the formidable machinery of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN presumptive nominee, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

Gen Adetunji Idowu Olurin [PDP]

General Olurin, a retired soldier and seasoned administrator was a former Military Governor of Oyo State and was administrator during the emergency rule in Ekiti State in 2006. While in the military he was Brigade Commander, General Officer Commander and later Commander of ECOMOG in Liberia. After retiring from the military, Olurin went into business and farming. He hails from Ilaro in the Yewa/Awori axis of the State. He is well respected across the state as a bridge builder.

But he is believed to be the candidate of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and is being supported by the Kuye camp. He also has the support of the Ogun West Elders Consultative Forum which at a press conference declared him the candidate of the zone. But the opposing camp faults Olurin’s candidature on the fact that he is a green horn in politics and that at almost 70 years, that he would be too old for the job.

Olurin has countered these by saying that experience is the best teacher adding that he has no impairment whatsoever. Olurin is believed to be able to fund his campaign through friends he has acquired over the years.

Alh Gboyega Nosiru Isiaka (PDP)

Popularly referred to as GNI, Isiaka a Chattered Accountant was born in February 1962. He attended Ogun State Polytechnic, University of Ife and the University of Lagos. He has a first Degree in Accounting and an MBA from the University of Lagos. He worked in various banks before he was appointed the Managing Director of Gateway Holdings by Governor Olugbenga Daniel in 2003. The company is in charge of the investment portfolio of the State Government.

He was in charge of the company until the middle of the year when he resigned to pursue his gubernatorial ambition. Isiaka hails from Imeko also in the Yewa Awori axis of the state. He is believed to be the candidate of the Daniel group and has received the endorsement of the Apex body of PDP in the state led by Senator Ayo Otegbola.

Isiaka enjoys tremendous support from members of the cabinet of the Governor, local government chairmen and the youths of the PDP. His opponents however see him as a Daniel stooge to be planted by the outgoing governor. Some of them also say he would be too young for the job, an allegation he has described as an insult to his generation affirming that people younger than him have been Head of State of the country.