By Olusegun Lawrence Ahead of 2015 governorship elections, all eyes are now on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), a former Minister of FCT, Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), a former Accountant General, Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos) and Dakuku Peterside (Rivers) as they battle to win their respective states for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The four alongside Umana Umana of Akwa Ibom, emerged the APC candidates at the governorship primaries conducted nationwide on Thursday.
As expected, all the first term governors of the APC also emerged as the party’s candidates ahead of the general elections.
The Governors who will be completing their first terms and seeking re-election are: Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Amosun (Ogun), Umar Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).
However, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo, who is also completing his first term has joined the presidential race.
In Kwara State, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed was the sole candidate for the 2015 governorship election but still polled 3,007 votes.
Ogun State Ibikunle Amosun emerged the APC gubernatorial candidate alongside his deputy, Segun Adesegun. Even as the sole candidate, he polled a total of 3,554 out of 3,681 total votes.
In Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi defeated the son of the former governor of the state, Dr. Wasiu Adesina. He garnered 4,662 votes to emerge victorious.
Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari was also returned as the party’s sole candidate, polling a total of 2,336 votes.
In Rivers State, Dakuku Adol Peterside emerged APC gubernatorial candidate for the 2015 polls. He got a total of 3, 774 votes from 4, 321 delegates that were accredited.
As expected, Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, won in Sokoto State. He polled 3,466 of the 3,503 valid votes to defeat five opponents.
In Lagos, Akinwumi Ambode, who is believed to be the choice of former governor Bola Tinubu won the primary.
Ambode, a former accountant general in the state, defeated other candidates including the Speaker of Lagos House of Assembly, Ikuforiji, polling over 3,000 votes.
A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasir El-Rufai, picked the APC ticket in Kaduna State.
