As #NigeriaDecides, APC, PDP In Epic Battle

The All Progressives Congress (APC) may buttress its success at the recent presidential election by winning governorship elections in many states across the country today. The polls are held in 29 states. The Nation Reports However, only the House of Assembly elections will be held in Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo and Kogi states. Some factors which may swing the pendulum of victory in the APC’s direction include the mass defection from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the main opposition party following the party’s electoral defeat, the effects of unresolved post-primary disputes in many PDP states, the violation of zoning or rotational principles by the PDP in some states, and other local issues. According to political watchers, the APC is expected to win handsomely in the Northern states and the Southwest, while also giving the PDP a good fight in Rivers, Imo and Akwa Ibom states. But, the PDP is tipped to win in Cross Rivers, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi and Delta states, which have been its strongholds since the restoration of civil rule in 1999. In the Southwest, governorship elections will only be held in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states. During the presidential elections, the people voted for the APC candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. The pattern of voting will be sustained in today’s election, with little or no difference. In Lagos, voters will choose between the APC candidate, Akinwumi Ambode, and the PDP flag bearer, Jimi Agbaje. The battle will be fierce. Although the APC won the presidential poll, thePDP made an impact in four federal constituencies, which were previously the stronghold of the APC. As in previous elections, ethnicity is likely to be a factor, although it also has its limitations. The progressives have been dominating politics in the metropolis since independence. Now that the APC has won the presidential election, many Lagosians are of the view that, for the first time, the party that will control the centre should also retain Lagos. However, unlike 2011, the ruling party may not be able to win all the House of Assembly seats. In Ogun State, the die is cast between Governor Ibikunle Amosun of the APC and Gboyega Isiaka of the PDP. In the presidential election, the APC won the Egba and Yewa senatorial seats. The PDP won Ijebu/Remo District, the base of Isiaka. But in general, the governor enjoys a high rating because of his performance in the last four years. Many people who worked for the PDP during the presidential election may not work for the party in today’s election.