Arewa Journalists Drum Support For Umahi To Become Senate President: Insult, Say SE Journalists

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May 4, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Few days after he disclosed his intention to vie for the office of the Senate President to President Muhammadu Buhari, Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi’s ambition has received a “boost”, as the Arewa Journalists’ Forum, AJF, on Thursday endorsed the him for the position of President of the 10th National Assembly.

Umahi will be a first time Senator when inaugurated, along with others, in June

The Group said that its endorsement of Umahi for the high profile position is due to his track record of leadership and his commitment to the development of the country.

Secretary of the Group, Abraham Awodi, at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Secretariat in Abuja, hailed Umahi’s vision for a united Nigeria, saying that it was in line with the aspirations of the AJF.

“We have carefully observed the leadership qualities of Senator (elect) Dave Umahi, and we are convinced that he is the right candidate for the position of President of the 10th National Assembly.

“His track record of leadership in his home State of Ebonyi and his commitment to the development of our country are exemplary.

“We believe that he has the vision and the capacity to lead the National Assembly in a way that will promote the unity and progress of our nation,” Awodi said.

In the same vein, the Group’s Vice President, Onoja Ambassador, while responding to questions from journalists, explained that the AJF, which is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and boasts of 260 practising journalists in its membership base, consulted widely with the public and stakeholders in the political sphere before arriving at its decision to endorse Umahi.

“We did not arrive at this decision lightly. We consulted widely with members of the public, political leaders and stakeholders before arriving at our decision,” Onoja said.

Awodi dismissed suggestions that the endorsement was influenced by any external factors, saying that it was purely based on the merits of Umahi’s candidacy.

However, the question people are asking members of the AJF if they had the courtesy to consult with their counterparts in the South-east where Umahi hails from.

However, is alleged to be very generous to not a few members of the AJF, aside from also supporting the association collectively.

Others see it as an insult on the South-east that the AJF would arrogantly tell the South-east who should be the Senate President – if it is zoned to the Zone.

FG Says It Needs Four Aircraft To Evacuate Remaining Nigerians In Sudan

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Akinwale Kasali

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May 4, 2023

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Nigerian Stranded in Sudan Arrives Abuja

By Akinwale Kasali

Less than 24 hours after the Flights that conveyed the evacuees from Sudan landed in Abuja, Federal Government has disclosed that it needs four Aircraft to bring back the remaining stranded Nigerians to the country.

The FG said that if the Aircraft was available at once it will fasten the evacuation of the victims of the Sudan crisis back home.

The first group of several Nigerians stranded in Sudan arrived in Abuja on Wednesday, after days of trying to escape persistent fighting.

Chairman, Nigerians In Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said that the evacuation plan covers more than 3,500 nationals, but their total number could be more as about 5,000 Nigerians are believed to reside in Sudan, many of them students.

She added that if four aircraft can move at once, every Nigerian stranded in Sudan will be brought home.

“If four airplanes can move at once, everyone would definitely arrive, adding that another 3,000 stranded Nigerians were expected to return home.

“Egypt officials are insisting that the airplanes sent from Nigeria must be able to take the number of Nigerians available, otherwise they will not be allowed to evacuate anyone.

“So if four planes go at the same time, they will bring everybody back. Most importantly, we hope those over there come back speedily.

“We are expecting that with the arrangements made by NEMA, it is going to be more planes because Egypt makes it difficult.

“Egypt says if the number of people you brought is let’s say 200 and the aircraft can only take 150, then nobody will leave.

“They want you to pick the number of people that you are bringing into their borders.

“At the Port Sudan, we are trying to get tickets because it is even more difficult to get flight to Port Sudan but they have an airline.

“So they are processing them now to get them tickets and then they come back home. And if other airlines get the landing permit, they will quickly go to help evacuate them.

“At least, they are coming back home and we are glad no life was lost and priority was given to students, women and children. So, let’s just set our eyes on that,” she said.

Nigerian commercial carrier, Air Peace, landed in Abuja around 11:40p.m. yesterday with 260 passengers, while a Nigerian Air Force plane arrived a few minutes later with about 94 passengers.

Those That Led Buhari Astray Are Already Waiting For Tinubu – Buba Galadima

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Ayodele Oni

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May 4, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Northern politician and chieftain of New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP) Buba Galadima has warned president elect, Bola Tinubu to be weary of those that misled outgoing President Mohammadu Buhari during his eight years regime.

Galadima, a former close associate of Buhari, also told Nigerians that voted for Tinubu to get ready and prepare for the worst.

The NNDP chieftain, who spoke on an Arise Television programme declared that “Those that are saying all kinds of things about Buhari have now started with Tinubu because they want to ingratiate themselves because they cannot be out of power.

“Any government in power, they must find their way of getting there. I am advising Tinubu to be aware of the pitfalls, by getting rid of those that think they must be in the corridors of power.

“Nigerians who voted for the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, must prepare for the consequences of exchanging their votes with Indomie noodles and N1,000 at the last general election.”

The northern politician said that the electorate will constitute a “greater disappointment” if the last presidential election was to be reviewed because they allowed themselves to be deceived by politicians.

He added that another category of people that will feel disappointed are the Muslim and Christian clerics who felt they could use their influence to determine who emerges as the country’s next president.

“To the masses themselves, they were a greater disappointment because instead of voting for those that will salvage them from their abject poverty, from their pitiable condition, they voted for those who gave them one Indomie and N1,000.

“Now they should wait to reap the harvest of their investment. This is where Nigeria finds itself today.”

Galadima also faulted claim by President Buhari’s media adviser, Femi Adesina, that his principal would leave Nigeria better than he met it in 2015 in terms of security and the economy, saying “We wish that he (Buhari) could have kept the country (as he met it) on May 29, 2015. We could have clapped for him and escorted him to Daura or wherever he intends to live after leaving office.

“The man has set Nigeria 100 years back, divided Nigeria across religious lines, along ethnic lines and crashed economic policies that have left the dollar which he met at N157/$1 and he’s now leaving it at N800/$1, that is if you see the dollar to buy.

“And insecurity was confined to the North East generally, except some dark spots that had happened in Abuja, Kano, and some few other places. Today, you cannot travel to any part of Nigeria with your eyes closed. You have to spend the night praying that God delivers you.

“If that is the kind of Nigeria that Femi Adesina wants, then I pray to God to visit him with what the common people suffer daily in Nigeria.”

Galadima further slammed Garba Shehu for reiterating President Buhari’s claim that the opposition lost the 2023 presidential election to the ruling All Progressives Congress,(APC) because they were complacent and overconfident.

The NNPP chieftain said Bola Tinubu’s victory was not due to the support he received from President Buhari and his close associates, saying the president and the likes of Shehu worked against Tinubu’s emergence as president-elect.

“I wish somebody will tell Garba Shehu that, yes, he is right but he was part of the opposition to this incoming government (of Bola Tinubu). Buhari and himself (Shehu) and others around them never wished these people (Tinubu) to emerge as they emerged. They emerged on their own strength.

“The incoming government knows that Buhari never supported them but it is God that anoints leaders and dethrones leaders. The man (Buhari) in his wildness believed that people should worship him.

“So those serial betrayers that were kneeling down and lying down and worshiping him, and he granted them access to power are now those that are abusing him and taking him to court.

“My only regret in this country is that Buhari has left Nigerian polity bedeviled by religious and monetization issues, which was worse than rigging because you can no more win an election on the basis of the quality of service, on the basis of your credibility, public service or what you had done, but it is only on the basis of money.”

NIMASA: Ghana Understudies Nigeria’s Cabotage Success

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James Orji

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May 4, 2023

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The Ghanaian Maritime Authority, GMA, has commenced a 10- Day programme to understudy the implementation of the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act also known as the Cabotage Law in Nigeria under a collaborative arrangement with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, while addressing the Ghanaian delegation, expressed delight at the opportunity to share knowledge on Cabotage implementation noting that it will not only enhance regional collaboration, but also have a multiplier effect of increasing local participation in the regional maritime industry.

“As a regulatory and enforcement agency, we are committed to ensuring that our core mandates are accomplished in such a manner that will provoke economic development for Nigeria, while growing indigenous capacity in line with international best practices.

Since the advent of the Cabotage Act in Nigeria, about 68 percent of vessels trading within the country’s maritime space are now Nigerian-flagged. We have also made progress in the area of placement of Nigerian seafarers on board Cabotage vessels, as well as building vessels from the keel, particularly smaller crafts.

He also spoke about the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, CVFF, introduced to offer financial assistance to operators, stating that the fund is obtained through the collection of a 2% surcharge from the total contract sum performed by any vessel engaged in Cabotage trade. Jamoh expressed optimism that the amended Cabotage Act will be signed into law very soon.

”The Cabotage Act, was signed into law in 2003 after two decades of implementation and reality on ground, it is now clear that the law requires amendment and the Nigerian National Assembly have made tremendous progress towards having the revised Cabotage bill assented to by Mr. President”

On her part, the Director, Legal/ Board Secretary of Ghana Maritime Authority, GMA, Mrs. Patience Diaba expressed delight at the opportunity to learn from the Nigerian experience in its implementation of the Cabotage law.

Diaba opined that Ghana is privileged to have an opportunity to learn from the experience of Nigeria; stressing that the valuable insights would ensure Ghana avoids the pitfalls and challenges that plagued Nigeria at the initial stage.

Her words: “We appreciate the time and efforts of the NIMASA team who will be sharing their insights and expertise with us over the next few days. We look forward to a fruitful discussion and site visits, especially the visit to Port Harcourt and other activities that have been planned for us.”

“We are confident that our time will be rewarding and we will return to Ghana better informed and equipped to implement the Cabotage regime in our nation. We are excited to begin this 10-day study tour.”

In his welcome address earlier, the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Engr. Victor Ochei observed that Nigeria’s Cabotage achievements did not come without pitfalls and struggles that were surmounted through consistency.

“Our achievements, processes, knowledge acquired and experience are what we will be sharing with you within this short period of time. Luckily, you will be gaining these set of skills without the inclusion of the pitfalls we had to learn from to attain our current level.”

“In the course of this under-study, we intend to chronologically take you on a historical sojourn and enlighten you on our famous “4 Pillars of Cabotage”. We shall put you through the enabling legislations and instruments that empower us to operate as well as our enforcement procedures amongst others,” Ochei said.

Rivers: Mixed Reactions As Tinubu Vows To Fight Corruption

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James Orji

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May 4, 2023

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President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his government will fight corruption.

Tinubu is expected to take power on May 29, 2023, and according to him, fighting corruption is a cardinal part of his policy think-thank.

The former governor of Lagos made this known in Port Harcourt, Rivers state while commissioning the new Magistrate court built by the state government.

He explained that one of the ways to fight corruption is to ensure that the judiciary workers are well-taking care off so that they can dispense justice without fear of favour.

“You don’t expect Judges to dispense justice in squalor, fight corruption in squalor,’ the president-elect said while he was guest of Governor Nyesom Wike, during a two day project commissioning visit to the state.

Meanwhile, not a few Nigerians have opined that the incoming administration will require courage to fight graft in the country.

This is because Tinubu has been accused of corrupt practices while he was the governor of Lagos state. He has denied the allegation.

Tinubu who won the presidential election on February 25, and is set to succeed the incumbent in a matter of weeks, has been accused of acquiring a vast portion of Lagos’ state assets, either in his name or his cronies.

For instance, Alpha Beta, a tax firm linked to him has been granted exclusivity to collect billions of naira in tax on behalf of the state, with an alleged 10 percent cut.

This is considered outrageous by not a few in the state, even though other insist that it is normal for the consultancy firm to have a contract with the state.

The former administration of Goodluck Jonathan had dragged him to the Code of Conduct Tribunal over alleged corruption.

Till date, Tinubu has not been convicted for allegations bordering on corruption.

GTCO Positioned to Overcome ‘Uncertainties Ahead’- Agbaje Assures Stakeholders

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James Orji

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May 4, 2023

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Segun Agbaje, the Group Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc has warned of the challenges ahead in the global economy.

The company’s chief executive however assured its customers and other stakeholders that the bank is positioned to weather the storms of the economic headwinds ahead.

In spite of the economic headwinds, Agbaje said, the Group has performed in key metric lines due to its diversified investments and quality decisions by the management.

Agbaje’s assurance came on the back of the release of the Group’s Unaudited Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements for the period ended March 31, 2023, to the Nigerian Exchange Group, NGX, and London Stock Exchange, LSE.

According to him, “Our first quarter results reflect the strength of the GTCO franchise, the quality of our decision making, and the unfolding success of our efforts towards becoming a leading financial services company in Africa. Despite severe headwinds, we delivered a decent performance, recording growth across key revenue lines.

“We are also not relenting in our resolve to better outcomes for people and businesses within our financial ecosystem.

“2023 is shaping up to be another interesting year. Some of the challenges from the past few years are still lingering, and uncertainties ahead would test the resilience of most economies and businesses.

“We are confident in our positioning as a thriving financial services company underpinned by strong business fundamentals and will continue to benefit from a well-diversified earnings base,” he stated.

The Group’s report indicates profit before tax, PBT, of ₦74.1billion, representing an increase of 36.5 percent over ₦54.3billion recorded in the corresponding period ended March 2022.

The Group’s loan book (net) dipped by 1.5 percent from ₦1.88trillion recorded as at December 2022 to ₦1.86trillion in March 2023, while deposit liabilities increased by 9.9 percent from ₦4.61trillion in December 2022 to ₦5.07trillion in March 2023.

The Group’s balance sheet remained well structured and resilient with total assets and shareholders’ funds closing at ₦6.7trillion and ₦975.6billion, respectively. Full Impact Capital Adequacy Ratio, CAR, remained very strong, closing at 23.2 percent, while asset quality was sustained as IFRS 9 Stage 3 Loans ratio and Cost of Risk, COR, closed at 5.4 percent and 0.2 percent in March 2023 from 5.2 percent and 0.6 percent in December 2022, respectively.

The statement indicates further a Pre-Tax Return on Equity, ROAE, of 31.1 percent, Pre-Tax Return on Assets, ROAA, of 4.5 percent, Full Impact Capital Adequacy Ratio, CAR, of 23.2 percent, and Cost to Income ratio of 43.1 percent.

Meanwhile, a summary of the statement, according to financial experts indicates clearly that the Group best other banks regarding its performance in key metric areas.

Appointments: I Will Not Behave Like Buhari- Tinubu

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James Orji

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May 4, 2023

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Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that his style of governance will be different from the outgoing president Muhammadu Buhari.

He said he will ensure that each zone gets what is entitle to it, as his government will not marginalise any part of the country.

His comment, according to those watching the polity, is a veil reference to the Buhari administration which has been accused of favouring a section of the country with government appointments and provision of infrastructure.

Tinubu spoke on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers state while he was a guest of Nyesom Wike, the state governor.

The president-elect who is billed to take power on May 29 said he will try as much as possible to avoid the mistake of Buhari, who has been accused of marginalizing some parts of the country in terms of appointments into government.

After taking power in 2015, President Buhari famously said his government will focus more on the parts of the country that gave him more votes in terms of government appointments and development.

“I hope you have a copy of the election results. The constituents, for example, gave me 97% [of the vote] cannot, in all honesty, be treated on some issues with constituencies that gave me 5%,” the president said while answering questions At The US Institute Of Peace.

Not a few Nigerians condemned the President for making what they described as divisive comments.

Tinubu said he will not thread this path after becoming president later this month.

He said his government will enthrone equity, fairness, and justice, necessary to unite Nigerians to move the country forward.

I will not marginalise any region, but will leave legacy projects across the length and breadth of Nigeria,” Tinubu said during the two day visit to the state.

CBN: Knocks As Senate Restructures Over N22trn Loans To FG

By

James Orji

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May 4, 2023

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The Nigerian Senate has approved the federal government’s request to restructure N22. 7 trillion borrowed from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

The Buhari administration borrowed the funds from the apex bank through the Ways and Means, W&M window as provided in the CBN Act, to fund budget deficits.

The only snag, according to experts is that the administration violated the Act which specifies that advances from the CBN must not exceed five percent of the annual Budget. The Act also stipulates that such advances must be repaid within the budgetary year.

Obviously, none of these has been done and not a few insist that the National Assembly should have raised questions with the FG on why the violation happened by way of its oversight function as provided in the constitution.

“It is ridiculous and creates room for suspicion. We don’t think this is necessary, especially on the eve of this administration’s departure. This leaves us with the question of whether governance is a continuous exercise or not,” Secretary General, Trade Union Congress, TUC, Nuhu Toro, said:

But justifying the Senate approval on Wednesday, Senate Leader Ibrahim Gobir, disclosed that a huge part of the loan was given to state governments as loans.

Gobir also stated that the approval was done after the recommendation by a committee set up by the senate received submissions from the Ministry of Finance and Budge and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN

Giving a breakdown, the Senate Leader said the panel discovered that the Ways and Means balance was initially N19,326,745,239,660.20 as of June 30, 2022, but later grew to N22,719,704,774,306.90 as of 19th December 19, 2022, as a result of financial obligations to on-going capital projects and additional expenditures which include domestic debt service gaps and interest rate.

He said the Senate on Wednesday, 28th December 2022, approved the sum of N819, 536,937,813 from the N1 trillion additional request made by Mr. President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces leaving an outstanding balance of N180, 463,062,187 being the accrued interest on the sum;

He explained that the House of Representatives had earlier approved the additional N1 trillion Ways and Means advances requested by the president to enable the smooth implementation of the supplementary budget.

According to him, “Part of the Ways and Means monies were given to state governments as loans to augment budgetary shortfall in their various States. Most of the requests for funds for an increase in Ways and Means were made to Mr. President on the need to finance the budget due to revenue shortfall. Such requests were either made by the Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning or the Central Bank Governor.

“The federal government as a result of revenue shortfalls, occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and low oil prices, relied heavily on the Ways and Means to finance its budget deficit to keep the country working for the people,” he said, adding that the monies received by the federal government were actually used in the funding of critical projects across the country.

Gobir, said the federal government had to borrow the funds to support its spending as a result of a shortfall in government revenue, which could have led to the collapse of the economy.

“That the federal government through the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning has concluded plans to convert the CBN loans to tradeable securities such as treasury bills and bond issuance,” the Senate Leader said.

Tinubu Shuns Wike, Amaechi Absent, Governor Under Attack For Shutting Down Rivers State

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The Source

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May 3, 2023

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By Charles Igbo

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has come under attack over his declaration of Public Holidays in the State because of the visit of Presidential-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to the State.

Wike had, in a broadcast on Tuesday, 2nd May, informed the people of the State that Tinubu would visit the State on Wednesday, 3rd May to commission two projects- the 12th flyover and a Magistrate Court.

In order to give Tinubu a rousing welcome, Wike had, surprisingly, shut down the State by not only declaring a public holiday, but shut down business premises and shops until 3pm on Wednesday.

Both former Senator Shehu Sani and Dr Soni Amadi, criticized Wike for shutting down social and economic activities in the State over Tinubu’s visit.

However, if Wike went all that stretch to please the President-elect in order to curry favours from him, he failed in his first attempt. Tinubu denied Wike of his first request and told him that he owed him nothing.

While welcoming Tinubu, Wike had told the President-elect that the flyover he was commissioning is on a Federal road, and therefore, the responsibility of the FG. He, in advance, before Tinubu’s inauguration as President, requested a refund from the incoming Tinubu Government.

Wike: “These projects ought to be Federal Government projects because they are Federal roads. Since we have said we don’t want our people to suffer, I also believe that the Federal Government should say, look, you have done well for us. These are projects we should be doing. Can you bring your bill let us refund you the money with which you have done these roads?

“I am not asking for what we are not entitled to. The Federal Government should say you are a true son of this Government, you have removed shame from us.

But the President-elect was not moved. He told Wike: “The 12th flyover and the demand you made for refund, I owe you nothing. It is your road.

“You can’t chuckle at me and make a demand. You are the one living on this road. I commend your effort. You have to lobby me to collect it.”

Tinubu had earlier acknowledged that Wike was responsible for his Presidential victory, an acknowledgement that did not go well with members of the Labour Party who insist that their Candidate, Peter Obi, clearly won the election in Rivers State.

Conspicuously absent at Wike’s reception of Tinubu were the immediate past Minister for Transportation, a chieftain of Tinubu’s party, APC, Chibuike Amaechi, and many top APC chieftains in the State. Absent, too, were many chieftains of Wike’s Party, the PDP, who Wike has rendered politically irrelevant in the State.

Present, however, were a number of APC Governors. Seyi Makinde, PDP Oyo State Governor was also present.

It is strongly being speculated that Wike could get a Ministerial appointment in Tinubu’s Government.

Why Obaseki Sacked Political Appointees

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Ayodele Oni

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May 3, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has dissolved the State Executive Council, expressing appreciation to members of the council for their service to the government and people of the State.

The Governor said the dissolution of the council takes immediate effect.

The State’s Cabinet was dissolved during the Weekly Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

The Governor also said that, beginning from Wednesday, all Special Assistants (SAs) and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) have been relieved of their appointments.

No reason was given for the action as Obaseki’s tenure is expected to end in 2024.

However, political watchers believe the action of the Governor could be one of the fallouts of primary elections which produced Houses of Assembly and Representatives Members, as well as Senators.

The ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state was divided into factions with each producing candidates and subsequent Litigations.