{"id":359815,"date":"2011-04-02T00:12:00","date_gmt":"2011-04-02T00:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/04\/02\/d-day-%e2%80%98safe-districts%e2%80%99\/"},"modified":"2011-04-02T00:12:00","modified_gmt":"2011-04-02T00:12:00","slug":"d-day-safe-districts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/04\/02\/d-day-safe-districts\/","title":{"rendered":"D-Day: \u2018Safe districts\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The \u2018Centre of Excellence\u2019 parades a status that has always been every party\u2019s dream. But Lagosians have, ever since the return of democratic rule in 1999, given the mandate to call the shots from the Alausa Government House in Ikeja to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).<\/span><\/p>\n

Unable to stomach the development, the major opposition in the state, and which ironically had also been given the mandate to rule at the federal level, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had made several efforts to win over the state to no avail.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even when in 2003, the PDP “captured” the South West region, Lagos remained in the hands of ACN. At a point, a strange and out rightly provocative political vocabulary with deep rooted military insinuation was coined to give expression to the desire of the PDP to take over Lagos. A PDP chieftains, who happened to be a retired naval officer had announced to the consternation of the party in power that the PDP would “capture” Lagos at all cost.<\/span><\/p>\n

That desire to \u2018capture\u2019 the state from the ACN has never waned, if anything, it has resonated with redoubled determination. But the resolve to hold on to Lagos by the ACN could even be said to have tripled and amply proven in the last 12 years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Herein lies the \u2018battle\u2019 for the Centre of Excellence. The two parties will contest every seat, from every ward and if the truth must be told, the ACN has an advantage over the PDP in every sense of the word and this cannot be denied.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the three senatorial candidates of the ACN: (Chief Mrs Remi Tinubu, Central; Senator Ganiyu Solomon, West and Alhaji Gbenga Ashafa for Lagos East), are household names in the metropolitan state, those of the PDP are largely unknown. The same applies to the House of Representatives members.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP, analysts say, lack the popularity, acceptability, visibility and crowd pulling charisma that can be associated with Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and Mr Jimi Agbaje, two towering candidates who slugged it out with Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola in the 2007 general election.<\/span><\/p>\n

On paper, it is considered a walk over for the ACN. But given the appetite that has been displayed by the PDP-led Federal Government to take over Lagos, and the determination of the \u2018moving spirit\u2019 behind the ACN, in the person of the former governor of the state, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, to keep the state, Lagos promises to be one state that would command much attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kaduna: Markafi, confident of ticket<\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Former Governor of Kaduna State and incumbent senator, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammed Makarfi, is one of those who are sure to enjoy less stress in his return bid. The former governor who ruled the state for eight years has been representing Kaduna North in the Senate in the last four years. Though he is being challenged by CPC\u2019s Ahmed Datti, a former House of Representatives member, it is believed that Senator Markafi is a voice Northern Kaduna would not want to miss. He has ensured that his voice is among those that are heard on critical issues. Apart from being popular, he also has the means with which to prosecute the elections.<\/span><\/p>\n

Enugu: Ekweremadu sure of easy ride<\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

In Enugu State, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu is sure of an easy ride back to the senate. He is seeking a third term in the upper legislative chamber to continue to represent Enugu West Senatorial District.<\/span><\/p>\n

An insider, who claimed to have his sympathy for APGA, defiantly declared that Ekweremadu has no challenger and that he will sweep the votes clean today.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ikeogu, as Ekweremadu is fondly called, is said to have an edge over his challengers because of his numerous constituency projects and the fact that the governor is also form the same zone with him. Given that scenario, the possibility of the governor losing his senatorial district to another party, analysts say, is remote.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cross River: Ndoma-Egba is sure<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

In Cross River State, two term senator, Victor Ndoma-Egba, who is the Deputy Senate Leader, is sure to clinch the central senatorial district ticket with relative ease for the PDP. The party has ruled the state since 1999 with almost 100 percent electoral success. His challenger is a retired permanent secretary, Chief Patrick Iwara of the ACN. He defected from the PDP after he lost the nomination of the party.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Ndoma-Egba is not just a successful lawyer (he is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria), he had also served as a commissioner in the state and comes across to the locals in his constituent as a great philanthropist, especially among youths and students.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kano: Candidates at par<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

One thing is clear and that has to do with the fact that Kano politics, as it is at the moment, is devoid of god-fatherism, and not really driven by issues. Ironically, party platforms may not play any significant role in determining who wins the election. For its sheer size, Kano State is one that every political party would like to control.<\/span><\/p>\n

The bottom line is that the success or otherwise of any candidate or party in the national assembly election will be predicated upon his or its ability to win the hearts and minds of the voting populace. The onus, therefore, rests squarely on the candidates and their parties to convince the electorate that they can deliver on their mandate.<\/span><\/p>\n

From all indications, the senatorial election in Kano is going to be determined not by clear cut alternative policies or programmes on development agenda, but largely by the depth of the pockets of the candidates, and their ability to mobilise the prevailing primordial sentiments within the political landscape of Kano to advance their electoral fortunes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022Additional reports from: Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta; Kolade Adeyemi, Kano; Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri; Damisi Ojo, Akure; Osagie Otabor, Benin; Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba; Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia; Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos; Kunle Jimoh, Ilorin.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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