Electorate turns back on big names in presidential election

Major candidates and top political leaders lost their bases in Saturday’s Presidential polls.

Big casualties were Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) presidential candidate, Nuhu Ribadu; All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), flag bearer, Ibrahim Shekarau; Vice President Namadi Sambo, running mate to Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Vice Presidential candidate, Chief John Odigie Oyegun.

In Ribadu’s home State of Adamawa, it was an exciting scenario. Ribadu lost his council area to Buhari, but Jonathan took the entire State from both.

Kano State was as exciting. Buhari floored Shekarau, also the incumbent Governor, in his ward and the entire State.

Sambo’s PDP again lost to Muhammadu Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Kaduna State. Tunde Bakare, running mate of Buhari could not deliver Lagos which went to PDP despite the State being ruled by ACN. ACNs leader, Bola Tinubu actually lost his ward to the PDP.

Political analysts say the trend is the electorate’s way of punishing politicians who have acquired big reputation without tidying up their local base.

Jefferson Woghiren, a voter in Benin City, Edo State, said the pattern of voting shows that the Nigerian electorate has matured over the years. Another voter in Akure, Ondo State, Elizabeth Aduloju said that the free and fair election enabled people to vote for those they believe will provide good governance