Israel Arogbonlo
Following the controversial 2023 elections, Nigerians in some States of the federation will be having a breath of fresh air, especially with the emergence of newcomers (Governors) into Nigeria’s political landscape.
In this article, TRIBUNE ONLINE profiles some of these first-timers and also takes a look at their plans for governance in their respective States.
Akwa Ibom
Umo Eno was declared winner of the 2023 Akwa Ibom governorship election after wading through legal labyrinths to clinch victory.
In January, Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court Uyo dismissed a suit filed by one Akan Okon challenging the primary that produced Eno as the PDP candidate for Akwa Ibom for the 2023 general elections.
Okon prayed the court to disqualify Eno on grounds that he allegedly forged a West African Examination Certificate (WAEC) which he submitted to the electoral body.
The judge ruled that Okon’s arguments were based on assumption and unprovable.
Okon subsequently approached the Supreme Court but the apex court held that Eno was duly nominated by the PDP on May 25, 2022, and eminently qualified for the elections.
No doubt, the former member of the state executive council has weathered many political storms, hence, the reason for his magnanimous victory. The ‘Happy Hour’ proponent hinged his campaign on the theme of continuing with peace, stability, and security, as enabled by his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel (a member of the G-5 Governors) Umo Eno who is backed by key stakeholders including former governor Attah and many others including host of the clergy, has a development blueprint for the economic consolidation and expansion in the State tagged ‘ARISE Agenda’.
For the March 18 poll, Eno garnered 354,348 to defeat his closest rivals — Akanimo Udofia of the APC who scored 129,602 votes and Labour Party (LP)’s Uduakobong Udoh who got 4,746 votes.
Katsina
Dr Dikko Umar Radda of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 859,892 votes to defeat his closest rival, Senator Yakubu Danmarke, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled a total of 486,620 votes.
In his manifesto, Radda promised to adopt the strategy employed by his predecessor, Aminu Masari, to solve the security challenges facing the State.
“Health sector will also be improved, facilities, personnel among others are not enough to cater for the good healthcare of people, supporting the MSMEs based on his Excellency’s experience in SMEDAN,” he told newsmen in the buildup to the gubernatorial election in the State.
Radda rode on the overwhelming support from the incumbent governor, Mr President (Muhammadu Buhari) and other key party stakeholders in the State, who endorsed him as the right man for the job prior to the election.
Benue
In May 2022, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia upset the Catholic Church when he announced his decision to get the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue.
Days before the primary which he eventually won, the Catholic Diocese of Gboko in Benue suspended the “miracle-working” priest whose name was already a household identity in Benue for joining “partisan politics”.
Saturday, March 18, 2022, saw a new dawn in Benue’s political turf as INEC declared Fr Alia Hyacinth as winner of one of the battle States in the North Central region. He polled 473,933 votes ahead of his closest rival and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Titus Uba, who scored 223,913.
Born on May 15, 1966, the Catholic Priest in his manifesto christened, “Strategic Development Plan for Greater Benue”, explained that the document is structured around seven priority pillars with the acronym “SACHIIP” which stands for “Security of lives and property, Agriculture and rural development, Commerce and Industry, Human capital and social development, Infrastructure and Environment, Information and Communication Technology, (ICT) and Political and economic governance”.
Cross River
Bassey Otu’s ride to victory started with a passion to “serve humanity” coupled with his track record for developmental strides. This is evidently true, as his record of empowerment ranging from Award of land documents and financial support to building, car awards, scholarships, etc. is yet to be broken.
In 2011, Otu was elected as Senator representing Cross River Southern Senatorial District. On arrival in the Senate, he became the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance and later Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking and other financial Institutions; he was also a member, Committee on Navy, Power, Petroleum and Water Resources. His impact at the Senate was adjudged by many to be till date unprecedented; his name is said to be synonymous with human empowerment and societal development.
With his emergence as the 5th elected governor of Cross River, Otu is looking forward to “centralising and coordinating the bookkeeping and registration of public revenues and expenditures, while issuing and socialising financial administrative instructions on the financial management of public funds, promoting their constant perfecting with a pedagogic action”.
Kano
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning officer, Prof Ahmad Doko Ibrahim, announced NNPP’s Abba Yusuf as the winner of the unprecedented Kano gubernatorial election held March 18, 2023.
Yusuf secured the highest votes after garnering 1,019,602 against his closest rival, APC’s candidate, Nasir Gawuna, who polled 890,705 votes.
All thanks to his principal, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who demystified Abdullahi Ganduje’s political stronghold in the State following the outcome of the presidential election that saw the former emerge distant fourth in the poll.
Yusuf, in his manifesto, promised to look into critical actions that would improve access to quality education and healthcare services.
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