POLITICS
Road to 2023: 30 Influential Politicians To Watch
Cont’d From part 2
- Aminu Waziri Tambuwal
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal is the current number one citizen in the seat of the caliphate – Sokoto State. He became Governor in 2015 having clinched the position in 2015 using the ticket and then tsunami of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It would be recalled that he was a founding member of the APC, back then when he was the Speaker of the House of Representatives, he and some other Governors in the then ruling PDP defected away from the party and contributed their quota in forming the coalition that later metamorphosed into the APC.
In 2018, he was convinced to return to the PDP by his friend and politicial ally, Nyesome Wike to vie for the Presidential ticket in 2019 which a more experienced Atiku Abubakar clinched. Following that development, he managed to narrowly secure a second term as Governor of Sokoto State becoming the first non-APC Governor to win elections in the zone since Buhari assumed the reins of power.
It is important to point out that the highly detribalised technocrat is the current Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum (PDPGF).
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Ever since that shocking defeat to Atiku in Port Harcourt, Tambuwal has been secretly consulting some notable political leaders spanned across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria over his presidential dreams.
If Tambuwal eventually gets the nod of the PDP faithful during their primaries, he would be counting on his age, political experience in both the legislative and executive arms of governments, his strong clout, and pedigree politically to sell himself to Nigerians and his chances are bright. He is one politician that should be watched in the build-up to the 2023 polls.
- Chris Ngige
Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige was born on the 8th of August 1952. He is a former Senator, Governor and the current Minister of Labour and employment under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Professionally speaking, Dr Chris Ngige is a medical doctor, he was a founding member of the then biggest political party in Africa – People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In 1999 he served as the Assistant National Secretary and Zonal Secretary of the party in the South-East zone.
In 2003, he was declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the Governor of Anambra State under very controversial circumstances. As soon as he got into office, he quickly severed his exiting relationship with his then political Godfather, Chris Uba, whose brother Andy Uba was a highly connected Presidential aide at that time.
Following his decision not to ‘play ball’ with the Godfathers, Ngige faced several removal attempts to forcefully remove him from office. After an unsuccessful attempt on the 10th of July, 2003 to have him removed from office he was eventually removed subsequently. As fate would have it, sometime in August 2005, a Justice Nabarumaled Election Tribunal nullified Ngige’s flawed 2003 electoral victory. He made attempts to stay put by appealing the nullification at the Nigerian Federal Court of Appeal, however, the annulment was finally confirmed on 15th of March 2006, as Governor Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) regained his mandate.
The 33 months which Ngige spent in office were heavily charaterised by populist programmes, which mostly included road construction. Ngige later went on to face disqualification when he tried vying for the office again in the 2007. A few controversies also trailed him at that time, many people would recall how he was severely criticized by Nigerians for appearing naked at the dreaded Okija shrine when he was campaigning to be Governor.
Following his ouster from the Anambra State Government house, Ngige went on to contest two back-to-back elections. He lost the first and won the second. First, was in February 2010, when he contested and lost the gubernatorial elections to the eventual winner – Peter Obi. Next was In April 2011, when he sought the mandate of the people of Anambra Central for the zone’s Senatorial ticket. He contested this election on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Following so much wrangling, Ngige was declared the winner of the poll over the late former Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Ngige’s journey in the red chambers was eventually ended after he was roundly defeated by Hon. Uche Ekwunife of the PDP in the 2015 general elections.
Just a few months after losing that election precisely on the 11th of November, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari announced Ngige as his Minister of Labour and Employment. A position he has remained in till date.
People who are close to the former Governor believe he has his sights fixed on the 2023 race. Just recently, the APC State caucus in Anambra State unanimously called on him to contest the 2023 presidential elections.
Should Ngige eventually throw his hat into the ring, it is believed that he would be counting on his experience, strong will power and reach to sell himself to Nigerians. He is surely a politician to watch as far as the 2023 elections are concerned.
- Owelle Rochas Okoroacha
Senator Anayo Owelle Rochas Okoroacha is a founding member of the APC. He was born on 22nd of December, 1962 in his native Ogboko in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State.
The astute businessman turned politician often describes his family’s state while he was growing up as ‘all shades of poverty’. According to him, this was what encouraged him to take philanthropy very seriously.
Following the restoration of democracy in 1999, Rochas contested the primaries of the newly formed People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but failed to clinch the party’s nomination. Shortly after, he switched to the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) he sought the ticket of the party to contest the 2003 Presidential elections, again, he failed at that, losing to Muhammadu Buhari.
In 2005 the highly ambitious Rochas Okorocha formed a new party known as Action Alliance (AA) which he planned to use to contest for President in the 2007 general elections. That plan didn’t materialise and he soon saw himself back in the PDP.
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The former Governor of Imo State who was also chairman of the NGF at some point is one politician from the South-East enjoys a nationwide reach especially in the Northern Nigeria.
Getting the nod of the APC would, however, be a tall order following the crisis bedeviling the APC in Imo state which is a fall out from of the battle to take over the soul of the Party. Some people believe that Rochas would even struggle to retain his Orlu Senatorial seat if things remain the way they are, but again, you can only write off Rochas to your detriment.
- Anyim Pius Anyim
For people who have not been following recent political developments in Nigeria, the inclusion of Anyim Pius Anyim might come as a pleasant surprise. Senator Anyim is a onetime President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as one time Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). He was born on the 19th of February, 1961 in his native Ishiagu community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The media shy Anyim began playing active politics sometime in 1998 when he registered as a member of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP). He later moved on from there to People’s Democratic Party (PDP), where he contested and won election to the red chambers in 1999. In August 2000, he was announced as the President of the Senate House after Chuba Okadigbo’s impeachment following disagreements with Obasanjo led executive Government.
Following Jonathan’s victory in 2011, GEJ’s administration announced the appointment of Anyim Pius Anyim as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
Anyim has over the last one year built serious momentum around his presidential hopes, consulting far and wide and traversing the length and breadth of Nigeria seeking support and building bridges. Whether or not his dreams would turn reality would be answered by time. He is surely one of the politicians to watch.
- Bala Muhammed
Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed popularly known as Bala Mohammed was born on the 5th of October, 1958, in Duguri village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Governor Mohammed who is the present Governor of Bauchi State is a one-time Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) a position which he held from 2010 to 2015.
Before then, Bala Mohammed had enjoyed a short stint at the national assembly.
In the build up to the 2019 elections, he managed to secure the Governorship nomination of the PDP which was then the opposition party in the State. Senator Mohammed later went on to defeat the deeply rooted APC which was a major shocker in the State. It would be recalled that the election was inconclusive in the first ballot; however, Bala Mohammed later went on to claim victory in the final analysis.
Governor Bala Mohammed is one of the aspirants as far as 2023 elections are concerned that dropped hints earliest about his ambition. Although he is yet to make his declaration public, his has never hidden his intention to challenge other gladiators for Buhari’s seat. He is surely one politician to watch.
- Babatunde Fashola
Babatunde Fashola (SAN) is the Minister of Works and Housing in President Buhari’s Government. Prior to his venturing into politics in the late nineties, he was a legal practitioner by profession.
After joining the political family of the former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Fashola’s political career effectively began after Tinubu appointed him his Chief of Staff a position where he was more than effective. It would also be recalled that during his tenure as Chief of Staff, Fashola had also served as the Honorable Commissioner to the office of the Executive Governor of Lagos State. He was the first person to hold both sensitive offices simultaneously and he performed creditably.
Following the completion of the tenure of his principal, Tinubu, the dynamics of the political game at that time favoured him and he got the support of the Jagaban to contest for the seat which he eventually won. He went on to serve as Governor of Lagos State from 2007-2015 but this wasn’t without its own distractions. Many people would recall that he almost lost a return ticket in 2007 after he fell out with his godfather. Just a few months after leaving office as the Governor of Lagos State, he was appointed as Minister by President Buhari.
With 2023 in view, Fashola had recently called on Nigerians to wait till January 2022 for his Godfather who is also the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, to make his intentions clear on the 2023 Presidential race. Many pundits believe that by making those reservations, Fashola might have some plans up his sleeves but then, regardless of what happens; he is surely one politician to watch in the build-up to 2023.
- Seyi Makinde
Born Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde on the 25th of December 1967, he is an enterprising Nigerian Businessman, Politician and Philanthropist. Makinde is the incumbent Governor of Oyo State. Professionally speaking, he is an Engineer as well as an expert on Fluid and Gas Metering. Presently, he is the Group Managing Director of Makon Group Limited; a reputable indigenous oil and gas company operating in Nigeria.
Following many years of successfully navigating through the world of business seamlessly, Makinde felt it was time to try out his hands in the public sector. Shortly after venturing into politics fully, he contested the 2015 Oyo State gubernatorial elections on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP) which he lost to the then Governor who is now late, Ademola Ajimobi. He had lost out in the primaries of the PDP in the same elections before taking that route.
Sometime in September 2017, Makinde returned to the Umbrella party, the PDP following series of discussions and consultations which were led by the then Caretaker National Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi. Following that strategic move, Engineer Makinde maintained that returning to the PDP was not for his own selfish gains but to help develop the state. It wasn’t so surprising that on 29th of September, 2018, Makinde was announced the gubernatorial flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 Governorship elections in Oyo State.
Makinde went on to win the elections after easing his closest rival, Mr Adebayo Adelabu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) by almost 200,000 votes. So many analysts believe that his victory was made possible by the high handedness of the then Governor Ajimobi.
On 29th of May 2019, Seyi Makinde sworn in as the 28th Executive Governor of Oyo State. A position he has held till date. Although, his reign hasn’t been without troubles, he has given a good account of himself over the last three years.
Looking at 2023, the fact that he is the only PDP Governor in the South-West region now means his influence can never be wished away. He hasn’t denied having Presidential ambitions, but he believes that he would rather focus on being Governor of Oyo State. If the horseplay going on in the PDP at the moment eventually settles for the South-West, Makinde would have no contender. He is surely one politician to watch in the build-up to 2023.
- Enyinaya Abaribe
Many people would be surprised he made this list, but then it won’t be surprising to anyone who knows how influential he is in today’s South-East zone. Born Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe on the 1st of March, 1955 in Aba, Abia State, he was raised in the popular commercial city.
Following the return to democracy in 1999, Abaribe was nominated as the running mate to Orji Uzor Kalu and together they won the Abia State gubernatorial elections.
Shortly after his swearing in, Abaribe began to have running battles with his principal and he was impeached and restored as the Deputy Governor twice in the same year. While he got wind of the plot for his third impeachment, he finally resigned on March 7, 2003,
In the 2003 elections, Abaribe went on to contest against his erstwhile principal for the number one seat on the platform of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), an election he eventually lost.
Following that development, Abaribe returned to the ruling PDP where he contested and was elected as a Senator representing Abia South Senatorial Zone at the National Assembly in 2007.
In 2023, he has already declared that he would be contesting Okezie Ikpeazu’s seat as the Governor of Abia State but again, his influence especially on the indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) would make him an influential figure in that election.
- Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who is a two-term former governor of Kano State, from every indication, would be vying for the office of the President again in 2023. The former Minister of Defence has continued to keep his plans to himself by insisting that he is still consulting but many people believe that the red cap wearing politician would be attempting to be President of Nigeria in 2023. Before now, he had previously lost in the primaries to Muhammadu Buhari of the APC in 2014 and to Atiku Abubakar of the PDP in 2018.
Kwankwaso who is the leader of the Kwankwasiyya political movement in the Northern Nigeria, enjoys widespread support in his native Kano.
His foray into politics in Nigeria began in the 90’s when he joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) where he stood shoulder to shoulder with the likes of the late General Shehu Yar’adua, his erstwhile boss Senator Magaji Abdullahi, Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu, Babagana Kingibe, late Tony Anenih, late Chuba Okadigbo, and late Lamidi Adedibu amongst so many others.
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Pundits believe he is one of the few politicians that can match Buhari in the North in terms of popularity and what this means is that whether he is or not on the ballot, his influence can never be overemphasised.
- Sule Lamido
Sule Lamido was a two-term Governor of Jigawa State; he served as the Governor of Jigawa State from April 2007 – 2015. Lamido was born in his native Bamaina, Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
His political journey started as far back as the eighties and he is not a new name as far as the political terrain in the Northern Nigeria is concerned.
He is one of the very few politicians who have remained very loyal to his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ever since he joined the party. The 74-year-old Lamido has remained consistent in proving his opinions on public issues over the last 7 years and many pundits believe he would be contesting the Presidential elections in 2023. He is surely one of the politicians to watch in the build-up.
- Abubakar Malami
Abubakar Malami (SAN) was born on the 17th of April, 1967 in his native Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. He is a lawyer and politician who currently doubles as Nigeria’s Minister for Justice as well as Attorney-General of the Federation, a position he has held since 15th of November, 2015.
As a legal practitioner, Abubakar Malami played huge parts in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013 being the resource person to the Sub-Committee of Inter Joint Party Merger Committees between the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) that drafted a Manifesto for the merger.
Many would recall that in 2014, Abubakar vied for the Governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State but failed in the primaries, losing to Atiku Bugudu who is the incumbent Governor of the State. After that election, he was appointed as Minister by Muhammadu Buhari, thus becoming the youngest minister in that cabinet.
Many analysts believe the highly influential Malami, who has managed to pocket the new EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has shelved his earlier ambition to contest the Kebbi State gubernatorial elections but now rather has his sights firmly fixed on the Presidency.
His influence in the cabal running Buhari’s government means anything can happen and it is very realistic to believe that he is one of the politicians that can influence proceedings in 2023.
- Boss Mustapha
The current Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) under President Muhammadu Buhari’s government was born Boss Gidahyelda Mustapha in Adamawa State, in the North-East where he hails from.
Perhaps many Nigerians do not know that in 2000, Mustapha was part of a 7-man committee that was put up by President Obasanjo to probe the Muhammadu Buhari-led Petroleum Trust Fund which has been embroiled in so many controversies. Although the report of this committee never made it to the public, it was surely one of the highlights of Mr. Mustapha’s career.
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Mustapha was then of the PDP and later defected with former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to the ACN where he served as the deputy director-general of his campaign.
From there, Mustapha moved on to become the deputy national chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). As many people already know, the party was among the parties that were merged to form the All Progressives Congress on the 6th of February, 2013 in the build up to the 2015 general elections.
Mustapha who is currently a member of the board of trustees of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was part of the transition committee that ushered in President Buhari’s government into power in 2015.
It would be recalled that Mustapha was presented to run along with late MKO Abiola given his Christian background by the Babagana Kingibe group in 1993 he could be brought in to play to same role should a Muslim Northerner like Tinubu pick the ticket of the APC. His current position in government also places his level of influence very high. He is surely one politician to watch in that election.
- Babagana Umara Zulum
Babagana Umara Zulum was born on the 25th of August, 1969. He is a professor who also doubles as a politician. He secured election as the Governor of Borno State after winning the governorship election of March 9, 2019 landslide under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC). He has since remained Governor of the State and many Nigerians believe he is one of the top performing Governors in Nigeria now.
The quality and number of infrastructural projects he has undertaken ever since he became Governor has endeared him to many Nigerians with many calling on him to take a shot at the Presidency.
It is interesting to note that Zulum’s political philosophy is one that is anchored on servant-leadership style, and this is something Nigerians always want to identify with.
Zulum is one of the few Northern Governors who believe that power must shift south in 2023 in the interest of nation building. Some pundits believe he is positioning himself for the VP slot under Osinbajo or Fayemi but then again, time would answer that. Whatever be the case, he is surely one politician to watch as we approach 2023.
- Sani Yerima
Sani Yerima is one politician who the media has not taken proper note of. He was the Governor of Zamfara State from 1999 to 2007 under the platform of the All Progressives People’s Congress (ANPP).
He had in the recent past represented Zamfara West in the Senate where he served as Deputy Minority Leader.
Yerima was the very first politician to declare his ambition to be President in 2023. He made intentions public as early as in 2020 just barely a year after President Buhari won his re-election.
This is however not the first time he would be having a shot at the office of the President of Nigeria. He had attempted as far back as 2007 but had to step aside for Buhari.
While speaking to reporters recently, he categorically stated that he would contest the 2023 Presidency on the platform of the APC, insisting that nobody in the APC reached any agreements with anybody that power would be rotated to the South when the administration of President Buhari comes to an end in 2023.
Should APC refuse to zone their ticket to the South, the former Governor from the look of things appears very determined to push through. His popularity amongst Sharia loving Muslims in the Northern Nigeria is something anybody can only ignore at their own risk. He was instrumental in making Buhari President and in 2023, his influence would still be felt in one way or the other.
- Bukola Saraki
Olubukola Abubakar Saraki, who many people prefer to call, Bukola Saraki was born on the 19th of December, 1962. He is a medical doctor by profession although, politics has not allowed him fully to explore that part of him.
His father, Olusola Saraki was a very popular politician in Kwara State. He was once a Senate leader in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN).
Bukola Saraki began his political career early enough, this perhaps explains why he has tasted virtually every big position in Nigeria minus the Presidency.
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He is a two-term former Governor of Kwara State. After leaving office in 2015 as Governor, he opted to return to the red chambers where he had spent his pre-governorship years. In the 2015 general elections, he contested for the Kwara Central Senatorial seat and won. He attained this feat under the APC after joining a group of Governors to decamp away from the PDP in 2014. It was after his re-election to the Senate in 2015 that his political problems began in earnest. On the 9th of June 2015, against his party’s wishes, Saraki got elected unopposed as President of the Senate following an eye opening intra party alliance between PDP and APC Senators that saw the opposition party produce the deputy President in Senator Ike Ekweremadu, something that has never been witnessed in Nigeria before.
These sneaky political moves and gambles earned Saraki series of well sustained propaganda attacks and ultimately a false declaration of assets case at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). Meanwhile, the politically shrewd Saraki fought all these battles and came out, whether he was unhurt was to be determined by the next election. The 2019 general elections came and Oloye as he is fondly called saw himself kissing the dust as his entire political dynasty in Kwara State was displaced using a well-financed propaganda-propelled machinery tagged ‘O to Ge’ meaning Enough is enough in Yoruba language.
Since losing those elections, the astute politician has been planning a comeback and at the moment, the crisis in the Kwara State APC caucus looks like something he would want to cash in on.
Sometime in November 2021, surprised everyone by declaring his intention to seek the 2023 Presidential ticket of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) becoming the first politician in the party to officially do so.
Saraki had placed 3rd between big wigs such as Atiku and Tambuwal in the 2018 Presidential primaries of the PDP, what he intends to do differently this time is something Nigerians would look forward to especially since both gladiators are still in the race. However, whatever be the case, Saraki is one influential Politician to be watched as 2023 draws nearer. Writing Saraki off is always risky because he is always full of surprises.
- Yahaya Bello
Yahaya Adozi Bello was born on the 12th of August 1975. At 46 he is the youngest Governor in Nigeria now. The accountant and businessman has been in politics for a while. He is presently running his second term as the Governor of Kogi State.
It is no longer news that Governor Bello is among those eyeing Buhari’s seat come 2023. As you read this, giant billboards of him making subtle campaigns have already sprouted up across different parts of Nigeria.
In fact, some time last year, the Kogi State House of Assembly, became so idle in plenary and had to pass a ‘resolution’ calling on the White Lion as he prefers to be called to run for president in 2023.
The Governor himself has commissioned foot soldiers and loyalists to go into town to drum support for his Presidential dreams. Bello has equally gone to the camp of the PDP to recruit Fani Kayode for his nuisance value to do dirty PR jobs for him at the national level.
What Bello has been insisting on is that the time has come for the North Central geopolitical zone to produce a President for Nigeria. Whether or not his aspirations would see the light of the day is a matter of time. Bello is surely one politician to watch going into 2023.
- David Umahi
David Nweze Umahi was born on the 25th of July 1963 in his native Ohaozara in Ebonyi State. He is an engineer, technocrat, and politician. Presently, he is the Governor of Ebonyi State.
Governor Umahi is also one of the politicians who hail from the South-East region who are believed to be interested in Buhari’s powerful seat come 2023.
It would be recalled that Umahi, who has been a top chieftain of the PDP all his years in politics, in early 2021 announced his defection to the ruling APC in a move pundits believe was to strategically position himself for the 2023 Presidency.
Umahi has himself severally denied that his defection was motivated by his 2023 Presidential ambition, analysts however believe that the Ebonyi State Governor is only being economical with the truth.
Umahi who has ticked all the available boxed in terms of developing Ebonyi State would most likely be eyeing a higher office. There are indications that he was part of the top-ranking politicians that scuttled the chances of the PDP in 2019 to ensure his tribesman, Peter Obi does not become Vice President which would have buried his Presidential dreams.
Whether or not Umahi has what it takes to clinch the ticket of the APC is a question of time and until then, he remains one Politician to watch in the build-up.
- Orji Uzor Kalu
Orji Uzor Kalu was born on the 21st of April 1960. He is a Nigerian politician and businessman with wide reach and contacts. He is the current chairman of SLOK Holding as well as the Daily Sun and New Telegraph newspapers. He was the Governor of Abia State for 8 years between 29th of May, 1999 and 29th of May, 2007. During which he was accused of looting public funds which has seen him have running battles with the EFCC for almost two decades.
As things stand at the moment, he is another Political Gladiator who pundits believe has what it takes to clinch the APC Presidential Ticket. Kalu is one of the few politicians from the South-East region who enjoys a cordial relationship with some Northern elites, not just that, he is one of the few aspirants that possesses the financial muscle to slug it out with other Aspirants for the APC Presidential Ticket if that becomes the case.
With the clamour for South-East Presidency assuming deafening proportions, Orji Uzor Kalu might just be the man. He is surely a politician to watch out for in 2023.
To be continued..
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK