Politics

Serial Contestants In Nigeria’s Electoral System

Published

3 years ago

June 19, 2022

The three failed attempts by President Muhammadu Buhari to become the President before he eventually won in 2015 has become a classic example of how people should be resilient in their endeavour or political ventures.

A National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, made a caricature of the President’s serial attempts in his Abeokuta outburst few weeks ago when he said in Yoruba, ‘he tried the first time, he failed; he tried the second time, he failed; he tried again the third time, he failed. He even cried on national television but I told him to wipe his tears because crying wasn’t the next thing…’

That video, made a few days to the anticipated APC presidential primary, went viral prompting a rebuttal from the Presidency and a clarification from Tinubu that he didn’t mean to denigrate the President.

However, what is instructive is that Buhari contested the presidential election three times and failed until he won the fourth time after the merger that produced the APC. Likewise, in Nigeria’s four-cycle elections, at the state and federal levels, there are some Nigerians who have been contesting elections but have yet to win. Some are seen only during election season, while some have become a part of the Nigerian life whether or not it is election season.

Atiku: One of the popular names that readily come to mind is former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, who is currently the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the February 25, 2023 election. Interestingly, the forthcoming election would be Atiku’s sixth attempt at becoming Nigeria’s president. In some instances, he lost during the primary and in some other instances, he flew the party’s flag but lost the main election. His first attempt at the number one seat was the popular 1993 election won by the late MKO Abiola. Atiku contested the primary of the Social Democratic Party but lost the ticket to Abiola. Some good news however; in the fourth republic that started in 1999, he won the governorship election in Adamawa State but left that to become President Olusegun Obasanjo’s deputy, a position he occupied for eight years.

After falling out with Obasanjo over his bid to succeed him as president in 2007, Atiku joined the Action Congress and flew the party’s flag but lost the election and came third. Before the 2011 election, he had joined the PDP and contested the primary against the then incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan but he also lost to Jonathan. Ahead of the 2015 election when the ACN had morphed into the APC, he contested against Buhari in the primary and lost again. He later defected back to the PDP and flew the party’s flag in the 2019 election but lost again to Buhari. Now, he remains the candidate of the PDP for the forthcoming election. Having defected from one party to another about five times, his supporters are hopeful he would win this time round as they project that this might be his last chance to contest, considering his age. He’d clock 76 in November.

Ribadu: The former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, is also another aspirant who has contested the presidency and the governorship of Adamawa State a few times but has yet to win. In the 2011 presidential election, Ribadu was the candidate of the ACN but he lost the election. Ahead of the 2015 general elections, Ribadu dumped the ACN for the PDP and emerged as the governorship candidate of the party for the 2015 election. He defeated six other aspirants, including the acting governor of the state, Bala Ngilari, to pick the ticket but he lost the election to Jibrilla Bindow of the APC. Again, the former EFCC boss dumped the PDP for the APC and contested the governorship ticket against Bindow for the 2019 election but lost the ticket. He remained in the APC and contested the governorship ticket again in May 2022 but lost to the only female aspirant in the primary, Senator Aishatu Binani. In all, Ribadu has contested the presidency once and the governorship ticket/seat thrice.

Agbaje: A popular face in Lagos governorship contest is Mr Jimi Agbaje, a pharmacist. He has contested the governorship election in the state for about four times but didn’t win. He started with the Action Congress in 2007 and was interested in contesting the election on the party’s platform when Tinubu, who was about concluding his second term as the governor, indicated interest in another person, Babatunde Fashola. Agbaje then defected to the Democratic Peoples Alliance to contest the main election but lost to Fashola. In 2011, he joined the PDP and for the second time contested against Fashola. He lost again. In the 2015 and 2019 governorship elections, he contested against Akinwumi Ambode and Babajide Sanwo-Olu – both candidates of the APC – respectively but lost the elections. At the moment, Agbaje seems to have taken a break as he didn’t contest the primary of any party ahead of the 2023 elections.

Kwankwaso: A former two-term governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is also taking a third shot at the presidency. Kwankwaso, who once served as the Minister of Defence, contested the primary of the APC ahead of the 2015 election, but lost the ticket to Buhari. In 2019, having defected to the PDP, he lost the ticket to Atiku. After leaving the PDP in protest against he said he was treated by the party, he’s currently the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party. His supporters are hopeful he will win the election in 2023.

Utomi: A professor of political economist, Prof Pat Utomi, is a passionate Nigerian who has also contested presidential and governorship primaries/elections a few times. In 2007, he was the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress but lost the election to the late Umaru Yar’Adua of the PDP. Also, in 2011, Utomi emerged as the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Mega Party but he again lost the election to Jonathan of the PDP. Meanwhile, in 2019, the don went back to his state, Delta, and sought to be the governor under the platform of the APC, of which he was a founding member. He however lost the ticket to Great Ogboru as the party recognised the faction that produced Ogboru as against his emergence in another primary. Responding to criticisms that he contested a governorship election having tried to be president, Utomi said there was nothing wrong with his quest, since both were about service to the people. In the ongoing electioneering, however, Utomi was a presidential aspirant in the Labour Party but stepped down for former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, who is now the party’s candidate.

Otti: After his exit as the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank in 2014, Mr Alex Otti joined politics and contested the governorship seat in his home state of Abia. He contested on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance but lost to Okezie Ikpeazu of the PDP. However, the Court of Appeal in December 2015 declared him as the winner and sacked Ikpeazu, but that decision was later overturned by the Supreme Court in 2020. Again in 2019, he contested the election but lost to the PDP. In 2020, he dumped APGA for the APC. In the ongoing electioneering, however, having dumped the APC for the Labour Party a few weeks to the primaries, he is the candidate of the Labour Party for the 2023 governorship election in the state. He has assured the people of the state he wouldn’t take salary if elected the governor of the state, among other primaries.

Akpanudoedehe: The immediate past secretary of the APC caretaker committee, Senator James Akpanudoedehe, has also been on the field for some time. He served as the Minister of State for the FCT under Yar’Adua. In 2011, he was the candidate of the ACN for the governorship of Akwa Ibom State but lost the election to Senator Godswill Akpabio, who won his reelection. In 2015, he recontested on the platform of the APC but lost the ticket to Umana Umana. In 2019, again he lost the APC governorship ticket to Nsima Ekere, who eventually lost the main election to the incumbent, Udom Emmanuel. Currently, Akpanudoedehe has secured the ticket of the NNPP for the 2023 governorship election, and has expressed hope he would win the election. He left the APC a few weeks ago after he was allegedly denied the party’s ticket.

Meanwhile, is it important to note that there is no limit to how many times any individual could vie for an office, according to the 1999 constitution (As amended), however it is of interest how politicians move from one party to another to realise their ambitions.

PUNCH

Politics

LP Candidate Warns Of Plot To Disrupt Lagos LG Poll

Published

1 day ago

July 10, 2025

Editor

The Labour Party, LP, chairmanship candidate for Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Engr. Seyi Ipinlaye, has raised concerns over alleged plans by certain individuals to incite violence and disrupt the upcoming Lagos State local government elections scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025.

In a statement made available to journalists, Ipinlaye warned of attempts to replicate the “ugly menace” of the 2023 general elections, which he described as being marred by threats, ballot box snatching, and voter intimidation.

Ipinlaye called on the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LAISEC, to ensure a free and fair election, urging law enforcement agencies to be proactive in preventing possible violence and protecting voters in Amuwo-Odofin.

“We are already seeing signs of desperation as Labour Party campaign posters and banners are being torn and defaced. If this continues unchecked, it may lead to voter suppression and possible anarchy,” he said.

Recalling LP’s victories in the 2023 general elections in both state and federal constituencies in Amuwo-Odofin, Ipinlaye expressed confidence in the party’s support base, warning that any attempts to manipulate the outcome could backfire.

He also appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State government to resist any interference in the electoral process, urging them to promote peace and transparency.

“We want the votes in Amuwo-Odofin to count, just like in Abia State where the governor allowed free and fair LGA elections without interference,” he said.

Ipinlaye concluded by calling on security agencies to remain neutral and act professionally before, during, and after the election to safeguard lives and property.

Politics

Protest Rocks Abuja Over Osun LG Polls

Published

2 days ago

July 9, 2025

Editor

Protesters under the aegis of the Nigeria Society for Democracy and Good Governance (NSDGG) and the Coalition of Civil Society for Justice and Equity (CCSJE) took to the streets of Abuja on Wednesday, demanding that the Federal Government enforce court judgments declaring the occupation of Local Government Council Secretariats in Osun State by All Progressives Congress (APC) officials as illegal.

The protest, which began at the Unity Fountain and proceeded to the offices of the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Finance, highlighted the escalating tension over the alleged disregard for judicial authority and its threat to democratic governance.

The civil society organisations urged the Attorney General, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Minister of Finance to intervene by recognising and funding only the duly elected officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to the protesters, the PDP Chairmen and Councillors were validly elected on 22 February 2025, in an election conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), in line with the Electoral Act 2022.

However, despite court rulings voiding the appointments of APC officials, the party’s functionaries allegedly continue to occupy council offices across the state.

Speaking to journalists during the protest, Chairman of the CCSJE, Comrade Collins Idowu, described the situation as a ‘profound threat’ to the rule of law and democratic governance.

He emphasised the financial and constitutional dangers of the ongoing crisis, calling on the Minister of Finance to withhold further allocations to illegally occupying APC officials and instead channel funds to the duly elected PDP Chairmen and Councillors.

“The current situation in Osun State is not merely a political issue; it is a profound threat to the rule of law and democratic governance.

“Despite clear court judgments that have invalidated the APC officials’ claims to their positions, they continue to occupy Local Government Council Secretariats, undermining the very foundation of our democracy. This blatant disregard for judicial authority and electoral integrity is alarming and poses significant financial implications for the state and its citizens,” Idowu said.

On his part, the spokesperson for the NSDGG, Ambassador Usman Saidu Calculus, also described the situation as a threat to democracy.

He warned that continued financial support to those without a legal mandate sets a dangerous precedent and may trigger instability and chaos at the grassroots level of governance.

“The NSDGG stands firm in its commitment to promoting democracy and good governance in Nigeria, and we believe that your actions in this matter will reflect the government’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and the principles of democracy.

“We demand that the government act decisively to rectify this situation by recognising the rightful representatives of the people and ensuring that public funds are allocated accordingly. The citizens of Osun State deserve to have their voices heard and their choices respected,” he said.

The protesters submitted letters to the offices of the Attorney General and the Minister of Finance, demanding strict adherence to the rule of law and the full implementation of valid court rulings.

Politics

ADC Unveiled In Benue, Woo Gov Alia

Published

2 days ago

July 9, 2025

Editor

The Protem State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Benue State, Chief Terngu Tsegba, has said Governor Hyacinth Alia is welcome to join the party if he so desires.

Speaking to newsmen Wednesday in Makurdi shortly after the unveiling of the party and his emergence as the Protem State Chairman, Chief Tsegba stated that members of other political parties were already collapsing their structures into the ADC and more were being expected.

He said: “Members of other parties are collapsing into the ADC, and anybody from any party that wants to join the ADC is welcome,e including the Governor of Benue state. If he wants to join the ADC, he is welcome provided he satisfies the requirements of the party.”

The former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Speaker Pro tempore of the House of Representatives explained that they had already resigned their membership of the PDP and were in the ADC to change the fortunes of the people of the state and Nigerians at large.

While expressing optimism that the ADC would take Benue State, Chief Tsegba said an ADC-led government in the state would frontally address the issues of insecurity in the state.

“For us in Benue state, if there is security,y the farmers can go to their farms, small businesses will thrive, and of course, everything will go as planned. So the first issue we are going to confront as a party and as a government is to arrest the insecurity in the state, return our people to their ancestral homes and then grant autonomy to local governments.

“If the Local Government are receiving their allocation directly from the Federal Government I believe most of the things the state cannot do at the local government level, the Local governments would be able to handle them.

“And to do that we will scrap the Bureau for Local Governments and return the allocation to the local governments.”

Unveiling the party earlier, former Governor of the State, Senator Gabriel Suswam stated that the coalition was born out of necessity, as the PDP, APC, Labour Party, LP, and other parties had been plagued by perpetual internal crises prompting the coming together of like minds in the ADC.

Meanwhile the PDP has described its members who joined the ADC as nomadic politicians seeking to destabilise the PDP for personal gains.

The party in a communique at the end of its Benue North West Senatorial District or Zone ‘B’ Stakeholders meeting held in Makurdi cautioned its members against joining any coalition.

Part of the communique read: “On the excitement over the new political platform, the PDP leaders describe former members of the party who have joined the coalition as an assemblage of nomadic politicians who are only seeking to destabilize the party for their personal and political gains.

“They are aggrieved because they were out manoeuvred when they attempted to seize the structures of the PDP for merchandise. They have no capacity to rescue anyone from anywhere. It is a truism that the PDP remains the only party committed to protecting our heritage, land, and people.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP in Zone B remains one and indivisible and rooted in the ideals of our founding fathers. We have no dealing with any coalition or the purported new political party in the name of ADC.

“We are not in any coalition with any political party or parties. We therefore encourage our members to disregard any speculations of any coalition at any level. Those championing the coalition are the disgruntled and self-serving elements amongst us who have long enjoyed the support of PDP but now seek to undermine the party’s unity and progress.”
(VANGUARD)