GOVERNORS ARE TERRIFIED OF THE "OBIDIENTS WAVE"

The upcoming governorship elections seem unexpected for the first time in many years.

In the lead-up to the March 11 gubernatorial election, some state governors who are running for reelection or who have chosen their desired successors are in a panic mode.

The development is a result of the opposition's dismal performance in the just-concluded February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, particularly the Labour Party, LP.

Given the unpredictability of election results today, many governors are concerned about the results of the presidential and National Assembly elections that were held last week. Against all chances, the Labour Party defeated both incumbent governors and tried politicians who sought to replace their former comrades in the National Assembly.

Particularly, Peter Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate, who joined the party just eight months before the election and launched the "obedient movement," brought attention to the party.

Before the presidential election on February 25, many people thought the LP wouldn't be able to get traction in some of the States it won.

To the surprise of many, the party did, however, make a significant advance by winning twelve states, including Lagos State, a stronghold of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Statistics from the election results released by the Independent National Election Commission, INEC, revealed that during the presidential election, roughly twelve governors lost their states to opposition parties, including the LP.

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Simon Lalong (Plateau), and other governors were reportedly defeated by the opposition in their respective states.

Some state governors may not be re-elected or produce their successors if the pattern that emerged in the February 25 presidential election replicates again in the gubernatorial race, a possibility that causes concern and anxiety in some of them.

Enugu

The LP won seven of the state's eight House of Representative seats, which was a significant victory in Enugu during the presidential and National Assembly elections. Also, it gained one of the three Senate seats.

In the race for the hotly contested seat of the Enugu North senatorial district, candidate Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was soundly defeated by Labour Party contender Okey Ezea.

Since then, the development has shaken up the State's entire political system.

According to reports, the PDP-led state administration recently met with the state's Catholic church officials to solicit support for Peter Mbah, its candidate.

Chijioke Edeoga, the LP candidate, who PDP supporters view as a threat to the candidate, is sincerely attempting to gain Obi's support.

As it did in the presidential election, the LP, according to a state-level chieftain named Hon. Malachy Okey Onyechi, would win the gubernatorial race.

Onyechi, who is running for State House of Assembly in the Nsukka West Constituency on behalf of his party, claimed that Edeoga is a breath of fresh air for the people of Enugu and will endeavor to save the State from ruin.

"We don't have any fear regarding the upcoming election; we will come out on top just as we did in the presidential election. Our candidate represents fresh air for Enugu people," he said.

Lagos

The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is running for re-election. However the results of the presidential election in his State fell short of his expectations.

According to reports, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress lost to Labour Party candidate Peter Obi in Lagos.

Also, LP was successful in winning four National Assembly seats.

Days following the presidential election, there have been numerous intrigues aimed at winning over the Igbos, who are said to have the State's second-largest block of voters after the indigenous population.

The APC camp worries that Igbo voters would choose Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party's (LP) nominee for governor.

Concerned by the development, Femi Fani- Kayode, a top APC official, recently declared that the party would not permit Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party's nominee for governor, to cede the State to Igbos.

Yorubas and Igbos, according to Fani-Kayode, were tormented in the Southeast during the presidential election.

He also claimed in a series of tweets that some Igbos were slaughtered in the country's southeast for supporting Bola Tinubu.

Igbos, according to Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), the PDP's nominee for governor in Lagos, require protection and appreciation for their great contribution to the state's growth.

Adediran made the comments on Sunday during a town hall event in Surulere with the Igbo group Ndigbo Na Lagos Bu Otu.

Along with engaging with Igbo stakeholders in the state, Sanwo-administration Olu's has also freed up confiscated automobiles for their owners. These efforts are thought to be aimed at winning support.

Yet, a well-known APC member in the State said that his party had made strategies for how to win the election. In light of the State's errors during the previous election, he claimed that an agreement had been reached with various ethnic blocs in the State.

"Appreciation of Lagosians of the first order who understand that all Igbo people in Lagos are one of those who have contributed immensely to our prosperity in the State of Lagos," he said.

Delta

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State have turned the Labour Party (LP) into a lovely bride they are vying for.

Recall that PDP vice presidential candidate Governor Ifeanyi Okowa failed to present his State to the party.

Since then, Okowa has extended his campaign to religious leaders in an effort to gain backing for his Sheriff Oborevwori candidacy.

Since then, Okowa has extended his campaign to religious leaders in an effort to gain backing for his Sheriff Oborevwori candidacy.

Before the State's March 11 governorship election, LP in Delta recently distanced itself from rumors that it was in negotiations with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

The LP State Chairman, Tony Ezeagwu, stated in a press release on Monday in Asaba that the rumors were untrue.

He claimed that the party's supporters in the State were steadfast in their resolve to win the governorship race and would never switch their allegiance to another party.

Meanwhile, some Peter Obi fans in the State have vowed to support Ovie Omo-Agege, the APC candidate, in the Saturday governorship election.

Ochuko Edafe of the Coalition of Obidients Movement in Delta Central asserted that "Obidients" support individuals rather than political groups.

"We, Obidients, follow the footsteps and watch the character of our principal, His Excellency Mr Peter Obi, and when we came down home to our State, Delta, we decided we are going to look out for the same character and among all the people running for Governor of Delta State.

"His Excellency, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has those qualities and character, and as you can see, he is a man of the people who is ready to meet with the people anytime," he said.

Rivers

A few number of Peter Obi's supporters would be content with Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike. Several of them thought he supported Bola Tinubu of the APC over their preferred presidential candidate.

In order to ensure that his nominee, Siminialaye Fubara, replaces him, it has been said that Wike has been taking steps to placate various Igbo factions.

He has worked harder to entice some of Obi's fans by making mouthwatering promises to back his candidate.

APC chieftain Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has meantime urged voters to come prepared and speak with one voice on March 11 when voting for governor, just like they did during the presidential election.

Eze urged Rivers State's Igbo citizens to decline any invitations to meet with Governor Wike for any reason.

He asserted that Wike used every state tool at his disposal to thwart any efforts made on their behalf to ensure that the results of their votes were reflected in the results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.