Abia state also known as “God’s own state” is set for the gubernatorial/ House of Assembly elections scheduled to hold on Saturday, 18th March 2023.
The elections had been previously scheduled to take place on March 11, 2023 but was postponed by one week by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Within the premises of the INEC Office in Aba South local government area on Friday evening, 17th March 2023, were piles of electoral materials waiting to be deployed to different polling units.
Abia state is made up of seventeen (17) local government areas.
And, in spite of the rains, the INEC ad hoc staff were seen perusing through the notices on the walls, searching for their individual polling units of assignment.
There are eighteen (18) candidates vying for the governorship position in Abia state, amongst whom are two females:
Ms. Gladys Johnson-Ogbuneke of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), a graduate of the College of Medicine of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she obtained her MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery); and Ms. Lancaster Okoro, a chartered accountant, contesting on the platform of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP).
Others are Okey Ahiwe of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and his running mate, Jasper Uche; Ikechi Emenike of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his deputy running mate, Gloria Akara.
Contesting on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) is a banker and economist, Alex Otti, together with his running mate, Ikechukwu Emetu.
Gregory Ibe, Chancellor of Gregory University, Uturu, is also vying for the governorship position on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Others are Enyinnaya Nwafor of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), the son of a former governor of Abia state (1992- 2003); Chibuike Jonas Okoroafor of the Action Democratic Party (ADP); Emeka Nwankpa of the Accord Party (AP); Wilson Akuma Kalu of the Action Alliance (AA); and Oluchukwu Bond Ohuche of the African Action Congress (AAC).
Also contesting the governorship election are Onuoha Sunday Ndukwo on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Uguru Chikezie Anyim on the Allied People’s Movement (APM); Uzor Kalu Mascot of the Action People’s Party (APP); Ekeji Lucky Achin of the Booth Party (BP); Ukpai Ukpai Iro on the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP); Onukwu Prince Chibunna of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Ijoma Kalu of the National Recue Movement (NRM).
Amaka E. Nliam
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