Several key developments took place across the thirty six states of the federation in year 2011.Regional Editor, Olawale Rasheed, in an expanded form compiled significant political bites across the states.North Central ZoneThe zonecomprising ofNiger, Nassarawa, Kogi, Benue, Plateau and Kwara states witnessed concerted and heightened efforts by the opposition parties to establish strategic presence in the heart of Nigeria as a way of weakening the hold of the Peoples Democratic Party on the nation. The tough battle saw PDP surviving in its dominance of the region, retaining five out of the six states and losing Nassarawa to the opposition Congress for Progressive Change.In Benue, Governor Suswam during the year battled an energized opposition assault from the Action Congress of Nigeria and only survived by the whiskers. The consequent political turbulence is yet to fully settled as the war especially with respect to the governor's election is spilling into the new year.Senator Bukola Saraki during the year established himself as the new political leader of Kwara state, a position he earned after a grueling family battle and a surprising challenge from the Belgore candidacy from the Action Congress of Nigeria. With all key positions within his control, Senator Saraki has stepped into his father's shoe, completing an uncertain transition that nearly plunged the great city of Ilorin into political turmoil.During the year, Governor Jonah Jang fought off a great revolt within his inner caucus to re-establish his control over the state by defeating his powerful former deputy, Paullen Tallen Jang's victories were multiple namely his warding off the clamor for the declaration of a state of emergency due to the ongoing conflict, his keeping the Hausa ' Fulani forces at bay and his political victory over his deputy at the governorship polls.For Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nassarwa, 2011 was historic as he emerged the governor after defeating his former party, the PDP at the guber election. His popularity which should have been acknowledged during the PDP primaries was too overwhelming to contain, hence his victory over former Governor Aliyu Doma of the PDP. That electoral choice saw a previously solid PDP state falling to the CPC.The year saw Niger state remaining stoutly in the grip of Taliban Minna, Dr Aliyu Babangida. This was not without a spirited attempt by the CPC to take the state under the wave of Buhari's populism in the last election. The state has retained its prominent status as a power state going by the increasing national prominence and activism of its governor.The battle royale was Kogi where both the PDP and the ACN fought tooth and nail to establish supremacy. The ACN fought a good fight even while it lost to the PDP. A very significant lesson of the war was the return of late Chief Sunday Awoniyi from the dead through his son, Yomi Awoniyi who is the elected deputy governor of the state. The Igala again re-asserted control despite clamor for rotation by other zones.North EastThe North East geo-political zone comprising of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe,Taraba and Adamawa states during the year retained its appellation as most under-developed part of the nation, adding the new violence prone tag to its credentials. It is a zone virtually at war.Borno remains an insurgent infected state where a gubernatorial candidate of the ruling party was gunned down few days to the election. The PDP, despite the consequent turmoil lost the election to the ANPP.Of course the drama over the election of Governor Shettima is spilling into the New Year.In the year just lapsing, Governor Isa Yuguda consolidated his hold on Bauchi state after challenges from old and new rivals, pushing a national agenda that left many to tag him as nursing a presidential ambition. The state is not yet fully affected by the Boko Haram violence. A sore point may be the aspiration of former governor Adamu Muazu to seek the chairmanship of the PDP in the coming convention.The year saw great changes in Gombe politics where a complete technocrat took over as governor. Governor Dankwabo's burden was lightened by the arraignment of his predecessor by the EFCC.A major happening in the state was the death of the deputy governor after a fatal road accident.Fundamental political changes happened in Adamawa during the year as previous arch rivals were re-united. The reconciliation of former Vice President Atiku Abubabakar and Governor Muritala Nyako changed the political tone of the state. Those in the know said Atiku made a strategically correct decision by reconciling with Nyako.Retired General Theophilus Danjuma was during the year brushed by politicians from his state, Taraba when his ministerial nominee was rejected by the state's political class. The General was forced to replace the nominee after all his plea was turned down. Governor Dan Baba Suntai during the year finally silenced his predecessor, former governor, Jolly Nyame.During the year, Yobe lost its political virginity as it got enmeshed in the Boko Haram violence. A peaceful state gradually climbing to development under Governor Ibrahim Geidam is now tottering on the verge of constant violence.North WestThe North West during the year witnessed stability that was denied the North East and the North Central.Politically, it remains largely a PDP zone even though the opposition parties are making frantic efforts for inroads.In Kano, the year witnessed a complicated political confrontation between the incumbent Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his predecessor, Ibrahim Shekarau. The former governor's possible error in candidate choice aided the incumbent while the infighting within the CPC denied the party of possible win in the state. Bussiness mogul, Aliko Dangote is also making his presence felt through direct support for the incumbent. What is more, the governor and the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero had occasions for disagreements during the year.For Kaduna state, the initial infighting between Governor Patrick Yakowa and his benefactor ,Vice President Namadi Sambo gave way to comradeship collaboration.Yakowa is also surmounting internal hostility even though occasional flare up of ethnic killings in Southern Kaduna is worrying to many.In Jigawa, Governor Sule Lamido during the year remains the emperor having defeated the opposition at the election tribunals. The year was, however, very harsh for the opposition as the governor pushed them hard during and after the tribunal hearing.Katsina saw the CPC reaping badly from its failed pre-election primaries which saw it losing ten national assembly seats. The party seen as a frontliner before the polls got destroyed by multiple candidate lists. Meanwhile Governor Ibrahim Shema used the year to consolidate his governorship which was badly shaken in the aftermath of late YarAdua's death.For the PDP in Zamfara, the year 2011 is not the best as the party lost to the opposition ANPP. Worst still, the party lost at the tribunal and at the appeal court. For Kebbi, it is another negative as the tribunal nullified the election of Governor Usman Dakingari even though the PDP is already on appeal. In Sokoto state, the PDP is facing an uphill task as former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa has returned to the ANPP even as internal dissensions within the PDP is growing.South-SouthThe President's zone witnessed significant political development during the year as the zone enjoyed relative peace and a progression in the implementation of the amnesty programme.Bayelsa state witnessed a political earthquake during the year with Governor Timpreye Silva being edged out of the governorship race. With Hon Henry Dickson as the candidate,2012 may witness the next stage of power play in the state.In Rivers state, the godfather, Peter Odili and the godson, Rotimi Amaechi re-united even as the opposition in the state suffered series of defeats on all fronts during the year under review. For Akwa Ibom, it was award and recognition galore for Governor Godswill Akpabio who not only survived opposition assaults but has consolidated his grip on power since the conclusion of the election. Petition against his election is however yet to be fully resolved.In Cross River, the year saw a spirited challenge to Governor Imoke in his bid to seek a second term in the next election. But the state, during the year, played host to the president's critical retreat prior to the take off of the new government.2011 is a good one for Delta state even though the loss of a gubernatorial candidate of a political party appears to have stained that good record.For 2011 in Edo state, the Governor's revelations about the support he got from the late President Umaru Yar'Adua was very earth-shaking as it suggest that Professor Oseremehin Osunbor was unjustly dislodged from the Government House. Even more unique is the forthcoming governorship race in the state which is increasingly raising political tempo in the heart beat of the nation.South-WestThe South West witnessed an historic political somersault which saw the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria emerging the ruling party in the zone. The change of guard was achieved through two channels namely judicial and electoral. While Osun and Ekiti fell to the ACN under apparently documented judicial magic, gun and Oyo states truly voted out the over-confident and disunited PDP.In Ogun, the PDP split into two fronts, strengthening the Ibikunle Amosun's push for the Government House. The year saw PDP bigwigs losing even the polling booth where they voted. In Oyo state, the division within the PDP and Ibadan anger against the PDP candidate led to a magnificent loss for the PDP and the emergence of Governor Abiola Ajimobi. In Osun, Governor Rauf Aregbesola in the April polls consolidated his hold on the state after his controversial and tainted judicial victory while his popularity has taken a plunge due to his policies. In Ekiti state, Governor Fayemi is facing constant challenges from the PDP and many citizens across the state.For Ondo state, the year witnessed internal disagreements within the ruling Labor Party, leading to the exit of some party bigwigs. The year saw the opposition pilling up pressure on Governor Rahaman Mimiko and the governor gaining recognitions and awards for his achievements in the last three years. The PDP in the state remains under tight control of former governor Agagu, thereby pushing the party to number three in the state.Lagos ACN is fighting the battle of its life after a bad outing in the local government polls. Introducing of high fees in schools and toll fees in Lekki-Epe has taken a toll on Fashola's popularity.The year also saw the South-West PDP recognizing its flaws and making spirited efforts to rebuild its weakened structure. No head has rolled however and the party appears to be re-branding the old guard with a view to face the ruling ACN in future electoral contest.South-EastThe South East zone during the year saw the heroic exit of a presidential candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance and a former Biafran warlord, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu.While the death of this mercurial leader was about the biggest news in the South East in 2011, the release of Ralph Nwazurike and the resurgence of the Movement for the Actualization of a Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) are also significant geo-political occurrences.Many will also not forget the theatrical and amusing exit of former Imo Governor, Ihedim Ohakim who even when he was virtually voted out was still assuring Nigerians of his ultimate victory. Of course, the year saw the emergence of Rochas Okorocha, a populist politician as the governor of the state.In Ebonyi state, a political miracle took place and the PDP won at the tribunal even when the state was already written off for Senator Julius Ucha of the ANPP.In Anambra state, the PDP continued to swim in its own political gutter while Peter Obi continues his reign using the late Ikemba of Nnewi's goodwill. In Abia state, an historical order unprecedented in Igbo history occurred when Governor Theodore Orji ordered non-Abians in the state civil service to quit. The ripple effect is still on.ConclusionCertain developments are however general to the states. During the year under review, more than two thirds of the thirty six states were going bankrupt on account of surging recurrent expenditure. A historical motion in the Senate raised the stake on financial insolvency of most states, leading to several suggestions like merging of states, review of revenue allocation formula and a call on states to stop extravagant and corrupt tendencies.More states are also going to the capital market to raise funds for infrastructure financing while others are approaching the oil rich Middle Eastern nations for development support. Others are driving themselves hard to secure the ever elusive foreign investment.Faced with financial challenge, the states are increasingly becoming very assertive on how the federation is being run. Year 2011 saw the states becoming bolder in demanding a reform of the federal structure with a view to devolving more resources and responsibilities to the states. This trend may continue in year 2012.
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