NIGERIA appears to have elected its first ever female governor after exit polls from Taraba State revealed that Senator Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan has emerged as the new chief executive of the state. 

Senator Al-Hassan, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, appears to have defeated immediate past minister of state for Niger Delta Affairs, Darius Ishaku of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). Although officials results are not yet out, Senator Al-Hassan appears to have an unassailable lead and looks set for victory. 

Unconfirmed reports indicate that Senator Al-Hassan is leading in five local government areas of in the state including Jalingo, Wukari, Saduna and Dutse. It is believed that the PDP in turn in leading in Zing, Lau and Ardo Local Government Areas. 

Representing the Taraba North senatorial district, Senator Al-Hassan was first elected in 2011, and last year clinched the APC governorship ticket. A Fulani Muslim, her election would dramatically alter the cultural norm in northern Nigeria where women are expected to play second fiddle to men. 

A lawyer and a one-tine Taraba State commissioner for justice when she was in the PDP, Senator Al-Hassan is also a former chief registrar of the Federal Capital Territory High Court. Although Tarabans voted for the PDP in the presidential elections, it seems the electorate have decided to go for an APC governor. 

If indeed official figures do indeed show that Senator Al-Hassan has won, it will crown a good weekend for the APC as it appears to be leading in most of yesterday's governorship elections. Nigerians went to the polls to elect 29 governors yesterday and initial reports indicate that the APC is leading in several battleground states including Lagos, Oyo and Kaduna. 

Official results are still being expected from the Independent National Electoral Commission with both parties keen to secure as many governorship wins as possible. Nigeria's 36 governors are highly influential as they hold the purse strings and control the political apparatus in their states. 

Zing local government area: APC 5,224; PDP 28,005.
Lau local government area: APC 13,094; PDP 20,595.
Ardo Kola local government area: APC 13,042; PDP 14,041
Jalingo local government area: APC 37,914; PDP 19,047