At least seven outgoing governors lost in their bid of continuing their political careers in the National Assembly after their two-term tenure of eight years each as a governor.
In 2019, about 20 former governors were elected into the Ninth National Assembly, which has been seen as a ‘retirement home’ for former governors since the country’s return to democracy in 1999.
Former governors presently in the National Assembly include Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Kabiru Gaya (Kano), Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa), Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu), Orji Kalu (Abia), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), and Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano), amongst others. All of them are in the race to return to the red chamber.
Here is a list of outgoing governors who lost their quest to move to the National Assembly after their tenure on May 29, 2023:
Ortom
A member of the G-5, Samuel Ortom of Benue State lost his election bid for Benue North West Senatorial District in the National Assembly to his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart in the district, Titus Zam.
The APC candidate polled 143,151 while the PDP scored 106,882 and the Labour Party 51,950.
Ikpeazu
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state, another member of the G-5. lost his bid to represent Abia south Senatorial District in the National Assembly, the incumbent senator, Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Abaribe defected to APGA after Ikpeazu, clinched the PDP ticket for the senatorial ticket.
Ugwuanyi
Another member of the G5, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State lost his bid to represent Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly to Okechukwu Ezea of the Labour Party.
Ezea scored 104,948 votes to emerge the winner, while Ugwuanyi came second with 46,948 votes.
Ugwuanyi was a member of the House of Representatives before being elected governor in 2015.
Lalong
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong who is also the Director General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and former chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum lost the bid to clinch the Plateau South Senatorial District slot.
He lost to Bali Ninkap Napoleon of the PDP who scored 148,844 votes while the governor polled 91,674.
Ayade
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River, who was in the Senate from 2011 to 2015, had hoped to return to the role as Senator representing cross River North but he was defeated by the incumbent, Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe.
PDP’s Agom-Jarigbe got 76,145 votes while Ayade polled 56,595.
Bagudu
Another APC governor, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State also lost his bid to represent Kebbi Central Senatorial District in the forthcoming 10 National Assembly. He lost to Senator Adamu Aliero.
Adamu Aliero scored 126,588 votes as against Bagudu, the Chairman APC Progressives Governors Forum who scored 92,389 votes.
Ishaku
In Taraba State, Governor Darius Ishaku of PDP was defeated by APC’s David Jimkuta, for the Taraba South Senatorial District seat.
Jimkuta of APC polled 85,415 votes while Ishaku of PDP, got 45,708 votes
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
