Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors, to a large extent, called the shots at the primary elections conducted in their States.
This week has seen the emergence of hundreds of candidates that will contest for governorship, State and National Assembly seats in 2023.
PDP governors, currently in first term, secured tickets to run for another term in office with overwhelming victories.
However, some of those to complete second tenure next year have either won tickets for senatorial elections or are vying for the presidential ticket.
Not only that, most of them leaving have been able to successfully push a number of their favourites as flag-bearers.
The chief executives again proved that governors control delegates, being the party leaders in their respective States.
Their influence not only supersedes State executive committees which they fund, it would determine the aspirant that would win the presidential primary this weekend.
Oyo: Governor Seyi Makinde won a return ticket with 1,040 votes to floor Hazeem Gbolarunmi who got 2 votes; 6 were voided.
Adamawa: Governor Ahmadu Fintiri also won a second term ticket at the primary election in Yola. He was the sole contestant.
Rivers: Former Accountant General, Siminalaye Fubara was elected the PDP flagbearer. He defeated nine other aspirants.
Fubara, who polled 721 votes out of the 980 cast, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged fraud.
Delta: House of Assembly Speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori was declared winner of the PDP governorship primary.
The candidate of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa accumulated 590 votes to beat his closest rival, David Edevbie (113 votes).
The Finance Commissioner under ex-Governor James Ibori had the backing of the latter, whose daughter (Erhiatake) won the Ethiope federal constituency ticket.
Enugu: Pinnacle Oil and Gas Chairman, Peter Mbah, who was endorsed by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, received 790 votes out of 807.
The closest opponent to the former Finance Commissioner, Chijioke Edeoga got 9 votes. Ugwuanyi won the Enugu North Senatorial District ticket.
Akwa Ibom: Umo Eno, a former Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources emerged as PDP standard bearer.
The candidate of Governor Udom Emmanuel, a presidential aspirant, polled 993 votes. A total of 1,018 delegates participated in the election.
Sokoto: Governor Aminu Tambuwal seemed to have handled the aspirations of his allies well to avoid polarity. The consensus option was adopted.
Former Secretary to the State Government, Sa’idu Umar won the governorship primary, while another contestant, Sagir Bafarawa will be the running mate.
Also, Deputy Governor, Manir Dan Iya, who stepped down for Umar, will contest for Sokoto Central Senatorial District.
Abia: Uche Ikonne, anointed by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia South Senatorial District candidate), clinched the governorship ticket.
A Professor of Optometry and former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University (ABSU) polled 468 votes to defeat five opponents.
Those who could have given Ikonne a tough outing withdrew earlier – Deputy Governor Ude Oko-Chukwu, Senators Emma Nwaka and Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Bauchi: Immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Kashim was named winner of the governorship primary.
Kashim, the only contestant, was endorsed by Governor Bala Mohammed, one of PDP presidential hopefuls.
Benue: House of Assembly Speaker, Titus Uba emerged the PDP candidate, after defeating the Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu.
Uba had the support of Governor Samuel Ortom, who won the Benue North-West Senatorial District primary election.
Taraba: PDP Chairman, Kefas Agbu will fly the party’s governorship flag. He got 443 votes from the 517 cast by delegates.
Endorsed by Governor Darius Ishaku, the retired Army officer defeated House of Assembly Speaker, Joseph Kunini and Jerome Nyame, both Professors.
Ishaku emerged as the candidate for Taraba South Senatorial District, while his deputy, Haruna Manu won the ticket for Taraba Central.
The PDP presidential primary will be held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on May 28 and 29. The governors have shifted base to the Nigerian capital.
