By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The time frame provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the nation’s registered political parties to conduct their primaries, formally, came to a close on Saturday, May 29, with no fewer than ten presidential candidates emerging at the end of the exercise.
Curiously however, few of the political parties ended up producing two presidential candidates each.
The sitting President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is seeking a re-election come 2027, was unanimously elected by the All Progressives Congress, APC.
His only challenger in the APC presidential primaries was Stanley Osifo, who many considered a political neophyte.
The PDP, on its part, ended up producing two presidential candidates for the next year’s elections.
The faction of the PDP, which the court recognizes and which has the backing of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike produced, by consensus affirmation, a professor of History, Senator Sandy Onor as it’s presidential candidate, at the at the end of its primaries held at its Wadata House headquarters in Abuja.
On Saturday, however, another faction, which has Dr Tanimu Turaki as it’s arrow head, endorsed former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, as it’s own presidential candidate. Jonathan was, however, absent at the venue where he was endorsed.
The Senator David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, at the conclusion of its primaries, elected former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as it’s presidential flag bearer for the next year’s general election.
Another faction of the ADC similarly produced Dr Dumebi Kachikwu as it’s presidential standard bearer.
The African Action Congress (AAC) , on its part, elected Mr Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and founder of Sahara Reporters as it’s presidential candidate.
Sowore is a two-time presidential candidate of the party.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) threw up Prince Adewole Adebayo, a lawyer and businessman as it’s presidential I candidate.
Adebayo, a Prince of Ondo kingdom, had previously contested for the nation’s number political office under the party.
Another faction of SDP, led by a former National Chairman, who was deposed by a court, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, at its own factional presidential primaries, elected Abimbola Akeem Atanda as its presidential candidate..
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in its part has elected Mr Peter Obi, an erstwhile governor of Anambra State, as it’s presidential candidate for the forthcoming election.
Obi has already named former Governor of Kano State and one time Minister of Defence, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his Vice Presidential candidate. .
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has the present Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde as it Presidential candidate.
The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has Mr Aliyu Bin Abbas as it’s presidential candidate.
Aliyu Bin Abbas is a former political aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The Labour Party (LP) has Dr Chibuzo Okereke as its presidential flag bearer.
The People’s Redemption Party (PRP) has elected a former Governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke as it’s presidential flag bearer for the election.
