In Benue State, as it is nationwide, the presidential contest is a two-horse race between Buhari and Jonathan. Many national pundits have predicted that Jonathan will have a smooth sail in getting the votes of the electorate in Benue following the intense campaign by his state coordinator and former Minister of State for Niger Delta Sam Ode, Governor Gabriel Suswam, Senate President David Mark, PDP governorship candidate, Prince Terhemen Tarzoor, and the Minister for Interior, Comrade Abah Moro, but those on the ground know the situation is very precarious and will not be a stroll in the park for any of the candidates.
So far 1, 607, 800 PVCs have been collected out of 2, 015, 452 registered voters and the race to gather the highest number of votes is hotting up.
Here we will examine the pros and the cons for both candidates.
PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN
The Pros
Benue has always sided with the mainstream party and has ensured overwhelming votes for PDP since 1999. President Jonathan won by a wide margin here in 2011. He polled 694, 776 votes to Buhari’s 109, 680 votes.
Secondly, Benue State is politically organised into three senatorial districts, North-East, North-West and South. Whilst the opposition enjoy decent support in the Tiv speaking northern district, the people of Idoma and Igede speaking Benue south have always queued behind their son, the Senate President, Senator David Mark to vote overwhelmingly for the PDP. The people of Benue south have also enjoyed a lion share of federal jobs allocated to the state, and the recent situation of a college and teaching hospital in Otukpo is sure to further endears them to the ruling party.
Lastly, the party have managed to resolve it’s internal disputes with contestants who lost out of the governorship primaries in such a way that most of them have either pipped low or the own their weight behind the party candidates, Jonathan inclusive.
The Cons
Benue is not left out of the nationwide disenchantment with the Jonathan administration. The sluggishness and lethargy in the fight against corruption amongst other national issues.
Also, security has been a major issue.
Aside the Boko Haram insurgency in northeastern Nigeria, Fulani militias has plagued the state left, right and centre with casualty figures over a thousand in the last two years. The sluggishness of the government in tackling this problem have led to recurrent attacks on several communities. Just a few weeks ago, over 90 persons were slain in Agatu area, a place that have been attacked severally in the past.
Governor Gabriel Suswam’s inability to pay workers minimum wage; owing of workers several months’ salaries; prolonged strikes in the state which led to closure of schools for eight months and a sharp drop in popularity rating will be a big factor, perhaps the biggest.
President Goodluck Jonathan have failed in fulfilling some of his campaign promises in 2011 like the Owukpa power project amongst others. Also false claims of some projects like the railway project and those of the Makurdi Airport, that are not visible to the people have added to the resentment against the president.
GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI
The Pros
Buhari is generally accepted as a leader with strong character, and also described by his admirers as incorruptible. The promise of fighting corruption and bringing corrupt leaders to justice have been for many, the driving force behind their support.
The defection of ex-Minister Dr Samuel Ortom and Chief Barnabas Gemade to APC is still haunting the PDP. Both are experienced politicians with strong grassroot support who have migrated with their political structures and will sure be an advantage in the presidential election.
The Cons
Fulani militias have wrecked havoc in several communities in Benue State and Buhari as a Muslim Fulani man is sure to get a backlash. Buhari has been criticised for his silence in the face to Fulani insurgents. Despite condemning the last attack in Agatu, many are still not convinced.
Religion is also a major factor, and while many don’t care about it, a few still feel a vote for Buhari will mean endorsing the islamisation of Nigeria.
While the PDP seems to be enjoying some level of unity and cohesion among its members including those who lost out in the party primaries, the same cannot be said of the APC. Hon Emmanuel Jime, one of the aggrieved APC governorship candidates have led a host of others to the court challenging the conduct of the primaries. The APC have so far manage to shield all the controversies from affecting their campaigns but we are yet to hear the last word on that.
VERDICT
The game precarious in Benue state, it therefore remains a battleground for both candidates. In politics, a lot could change in a second.
Please drop your comments, let us know what you think.
Source: Benue.com.ng
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