At least 37 federal lawmakers have so far lost their bid to return to the green and red chambers of the National Assembly in the ongoing party primaries.
The low return to the National Assembly is also exacerbated by the forceful quest by two-term governors to retire to the hollow chambers of the National Assembly.
The governors used their powers to bulldoze their ways into the National Assembly and in the process edging out more versed and ranking legislators.
Currently, 14 Senators and 23 members of the House of Representatives have so far lost their bid to return to the parliament by these governors.
However, the Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, his Enugu counterpart, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, and his former Abia and Kano colleagues, Orji Kalu, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, respectively.
This is even as intrigues, suspense, and confusion have continued to trail the ongoing primary elections by political parties across the country, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The ruling and major opposition parties, the All Progressive Congress, (APC), and the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), are more notorious for this.
Political watchers observed that the gale of defections that had hit the major parties is not unconnected with this kind of subterfuge, by political platforms.
The eventual exit of 37 experienced legislators will adversely affect the quality of laws that engender good governance, and security of lives and properties, as well as strengthen democracy, economic growth, and sustainable development in the continent.
It is instructive to note at this juncture that, while some contested for governorship tickets and won, others lost their return bids to their rivals.
For instance, the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; Aishstu Dahiru, APC Senator representing Adamawa Central, and Senator Sandy Onor, won governorship tickets of the APC and the PDP in Delta, Adamawa, and the Cross River states respectively.
The former National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, among other big names, was defeated at the nomination exercise for the senatorial ticket.
Umeh lost the APGA ticket to the House of Representatives member for the Anaocha/ Dunukofia/Njikoka Federal Constituency, Dozie Nwankwo, who emerged as the winner of the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone by the polling 162 votes against Umeh’s 151.
On his part, Governor Akeredolu of Ondo State allies also lost their bids to fly the flag of the party for various elections.
A former member of the House of Representatives representing Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency, Mr Derin Adesida, emerged as the winner of the primary having scored 68 votes to defeat the incumbent, Mayokun Alade-Lawson, said to be the governor’s anointed who scored 37 votes.
Meanwhile, Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu and the former National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, have emerged as the consensus candidates of the party to contest for senatorial election next year.
The serving senators representing Kano South and North senatorial district, Kabiru Gaya and Barau Jibrin, have got the APC party flag bearer while the senator representing Kano Central, Ibrahim Shekarau, secured his ticket under the new but fast-growing, National Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP.
Governor Ganduje’s son, Engr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, also secured the APC party ticket for Dawakin Tofa, Rimingado, and Tofa federal constituency while the incumbent, Tijjani Ahmad Jobe, secured his ticket under NNPP.
The serving member representing Kano Municipal federal constituency, Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada, lost his bid to secure the governorship ticket and thereby paving way for Ganduje’s former Commissioner of Special Duties, Muntari Ishaq Yakasai, to clinch the APC party ticket.
The development in Kano is preparing the ground for a stiff contest between the APC and the new National Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP).
The Governor of Benue, Samuel Ortom, after keeping everyone in suspense, also declared his intention to succeed his friend and one of the longest-serving federal lawmakers from this part of the country, Senator Orker Jev, representing Benue North-West Senatorial District.
Senator Jev relinquished the senatorial position to his friend who was returned unopposed at the senatorial primary election.
In Delta, Senator James Manager, representing Delta South senatorial district, who had his eyes on the governorship position, but lost the PDP governorship ticket in Delta, is clamouring for his fifth term.
Also, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi of the APC was returned unopposed on his party platform.
Eight out of the nine House of Representatives seats in the state are occupied by the PDP with the APC holding the Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu federal constituency.
The list is endless, the scenario played itself across the country.
