2023 Ebonyi State gubernatorial election
The 2023 Ebonyi State gubernatorial election will take place on 11 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Ebonyi State, concurrent with elections to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly as well as twenty-seven other gubernatorial elections and elections to all other state houses of assembly.[1][2] The election will be held two weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections. Incumbent APC Governor Dave Umahi is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term.
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Electoral system
The Governor of Ebonyi State is elected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two-thirds of state local government areas. If no candidate passes this threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government areas.
Background
Ebonyi State is a small, Igbo-majority southeastern state with a growing economy and vast natural areas but facing an underdeveloped yet vital agricultural sector, rising debt, and a low COVID-19 vaccination rate.
Politically, the state's 2019 elections were categorized as a continuation of the PDP's control as Umahi won with over 81% of the vote and the party won every seat in the House of Assembly along with all three senate seats. However, the PDP did lose one House of Representatives seat to the APC after a court ruling and although the state was easily won by PDP presidential nominee Atiku Abubakar, it still swung towards Buhari compared to 2015 and had lower turnout. In the interim between 2019 and 2023, the state's political landscape drastically changed as Umahi defecting to the APC in November 2020 set in motion a wave of other defections that gave the APC control of the House of Assembly. While the defections massively improved the APC's southeastern standing, the legal ramifications are still unknown as a high court briefly removed Umahi and all assemblymembers who also defected from office in March 2022 until the decision was overturned on appeal; it has been appealed further.
Ahead of his second term, Umahi stated focuses included agriculture, economic development, and resource development; however, he was criticized for authoritarian-esque actions. Alarms were raised after Umahi's defection when he ordered security forces to lock the state PDP secretariat in 2021 and when the state PDP spokesman was arrested for criticizing Umahi in 2022; he was also accused of using security forces to harass critics.[3][4][5][6] At other points during his administration, Umahi was given praise for economic diversification and increasing government transparency while receiving further criticism for blaming IPOB attacks on politicians without evidence and ranting against the judiciary.[7][8][9][10]
Primary elections
The primaries, along with any potential challenges to primary results, will take place between 4 April and 3 June 2022.[2] An informal zoning gentlemen's agreement sets the Ebonyi North Senatorial District to have the next governor as Ebonyi North has not held the governorship since 2007.[11] However, some groups such as the Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora claimed that as one full rotation of districts would be complete in 2023, further zoning was unnecessary.[12][13][14] On the other hand, some leaders in the Izzi subgroup of the Igbo people claim that not only should the governorship be zoned to Ebonyi North, it should go to the Izzi as former Governor Sam Egwu was from a non-Izzi area of Ebonyi North. Meanwhile, some leaders in the Ezaa subgroup of the Igbo people called for their group to hold the governorship as the Ezaa are one of the largest subgroups in the state.[15]
All Progressives Congress
Ahead of the primary, rumours that Umahi was backing Assembly Speaker Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru were confirmed on 23 April 2022 when Umahi endorsed Nwifuru while at a funeral.[16][17][18] Prior to the endorsement, Nwifuru received the support of some Izzi traditional leaders while other Izzi leaders chastised the supportive statement and reportedly opposed Nwifuru.[19][20] Meanwhile, for Ezaa people in the APC, Umahi asked Ezaa APC members to find a consensus candidate with a meeting in Onueke ending in Julius Ucha being selected as the APC Ezaa candidate.[21]
On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for gubernatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦10 million and nomination form price at ₦40 million with a 50% nomination form discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms are to be sold from 26 April until 6 May; after the submission of nomination forms by 10 May, candidates are to be screened by a party committee on 12 May while 14 May is the date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses and LGA congresses are set for between 7 and 9 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process will advance to a primary set for 18 May, in concurrence with other APC gubernatorial primaries; challenges to the result can be made on 20 May.[22][23][24]
Purchased forms
Declared
- Julius Ucha: member of the National Assembly Service Commission (2020–present), 2015 APC gubernatorial nominee, 2011 ACN gubernatorial nominee, former Senator for Ebonyi Central (2003–2011), former House of Assembly member, and former Speaker of the House of Assembly[26]
Announcement pending
Potential
- Edward Nkwegu: Chairman of Ebonyi State Extended Special Public Works Programme of the Federal Government, 2019 APC gubernatorial candidate, and 2015 LP gubernatorial nominee[15][28][27]
- Augustine Nwankwegu: former state Attorney General (2015–2017), former House of Assembly member for Izzi West, and former Speaker of the House of Assembly[25][27]
- Godwin Ogbaga: former acting Secretary to the State Government and former Minister of State for Power and Steel (1998–1999)[25][27]
- Sonni Ogbuoji: former Senator for Ebonyi South (2011–2019), 2019 APC gubernatorial nominee, former Commissioner for Economic Empowerment and Poverty Reduction (2009–2010), and former Afikpo South Local Government Chairman
Declined
- Kenneth Ugbala: Secretary to the State Government (2019–2022)[29]
All Progressives Grand Alliance
On 25 March 2022, the national APGA announced its primary schedule, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and the nomination form price at ₦12 million with a 50% discount for women candidates and candidates with disabilities.[30] Forms are to be sold from 29 March to 11 April; after the purchase of forms, gubernatorial candidates are to be screened by a party committee on 22 and 23 April while the screening appeal process is slated for 5 May. Ward congresses are set for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process will advance to a primary set for 29 May, in concurrence with all other APGA gubernatorial primaries; challenges to the result will be made on 31 May.[31][32]
Purchased forms
- Bernard Odoh : 2019 APC gubernatorial candidate and former Secretary to the State Government (2015–2018)[33]
People's Democratic Party
In late September 2021, State PDP Chairman Fred Udeogu announced that the state party had zoned its gubernatorial nomination to the "Abakaliki bloc" (the North and Central Senatorial Districts).[34]
On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its gubernatorial primaries' schedule, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦1 million and the nomination form price at ₦20 million with a 50% discount for candidates between 25 and 30. Forms were to be sold until 1 April but the party later extended the deadline four times before reaching a final deadline of 22 April. After the submission of nomination forms by 25 April, candidates are to be screened by a party committee on 28 April while 2 May is the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses are set for 29 April and LGA congresses are set for 5 May to elect delegates for the primary.[35] Candidates approved by the screening process will advance to a primary set for 21 May, in concurrence with all other PDP gubernatorial primaries; challenges to the result can be made on 24 May.[36][37]
Purchased forms
- Edwin Anayo: House of Representatives member for Ezza North/Ishielu (2015–present)[38][39]
- Emmanuel Ezeh: President of Ebonyi Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture[40][39]
- Paulinus Igwe Nwagu: former Senator for Ebonyi Central (2011–2015), former House of Representatives member for Ezza North/Ishielu (2007–2011), and former Ezza North Local Government Chairman (1999–2002)[39]
- Fidelis Nwankwo: former Minister of State for Health and former Izzi Local Government Chairman[41][39]
- Augustine Nwazunku: former Secretary of the Ebonyi State Agency for Control of AIDS and brother of opponent Chukwuma Nwazunku[42][39]
- Chukwuma Nwazunku: House of Representatives member for Abakaliki/Izzi (2015–present), former House of Assembly member, former Speaker of the House of Assembly, and brother of opponent Augustine Nwazunku[42][39]
- Adaeze Nwuzor: former Ebonyi Local Government Chairman[42]
- Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii: businessman[39]
- Joseph Ogba: Senator for Ebonyi Central (2015–present), former Commissioner for Youths and Sports (2002–2003), and former Ishielu Local Government Chairman[43][39]
- Sylvester Ogbaga: House of Representatives member for Abakaliki/Izzi (2007–present) and former Abakaliki Local Government Chairman[42][39]
- Chris Usulor: House of Assembly member for Ezza South (2011–present) and son of former Ebonyi Central Senator Vincent Obasi Usulor[39]
References
- Oyekanmi, Rotimi (26 February 2022). "It's Official: 2023 Presidential, National Assembly Elections to Hold Feb 25". INEC News. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- Jimoh, Abbas (26 February 2022). "INEC Sets New Dates For 2023 General Elections". Daily Trust. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- Uzoho, Victor. "Umahi orders police to takeover hotel hosting PDP office in Ebonyi". Ripples Nigeria. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- Akpa, Nnamdi. "Security agents cordon off Ebonyi PDP secretariat". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- Eze, James. "PDP spokesperson arraigned in court for criticising governor on Facebook". Premium Times. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- Uzodinma, Emmanuel. "Ebubeagu: Stop using security outfit to harass critics – Ohanaeze to Umahi". Daily Post. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- "RANKING NIGERIAN GOVERNORS, OCTOBER, 2019: Top 5, Bottom 5". Ripples Nigeria. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- "RANKING NIGERIAN GOVERNORS, FEBRUARY, 2020: Top 5, Bottom 5". Ripples Nigeria. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi makes our top 5 pick for the month of February on account of efforts aimed at promoting transparency in the administration of the state.
- "RANKING NIGERIAN GOVERNORS, APRIL/MAY 2021: El-Rufai's bloody hands, S'East UGM, Southern Govs jolted back to life". Ripples Nigeria. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
We are concerned that as governors and Chief Security Officers of their respective states, Uzodinma and Umahi should have been more circumspect in their utterances, especially as it concerns issues of security and matters under investigation.
- Olowolagba, Fikayo. "Defection: Umahi must apologise, retract statement against Judge – NBA". Daily Post. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- Odufowokan, 'Dare. "2023: Rumpus in Ebonyi over zoning arrangements". The Nation. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
- "2023: Zoning won't count in Ebonyi, indigenes declare". Vanguard. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- Ugwu, Romanus; Agwu, Chijioke. "2023 guber: Ebonyi indigenes kick against zoning". Sun News Online. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- Okutu, Peter. "2023 Guber election: Planned exclusion of Ebonyi South zone is illogical, oppressive — Ebonyi youths". Vanguard. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- Agwu, Chijioke. "2023: Two Ebonyi clans square up for guber contest". Sun News Online. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- Agwu, Chijioke. "Umahi endorses embattled Speaker Nwifuru as successor". The Sun. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- "2023: Umahi names Ebonyi assembly speaker as successor". Peoples Gazette. News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
- Nnachi, Edward. "2023: Umahi endorses Ebonyi Speaker as successor". The Punch. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
- Egbo, Grace. "Izzi Stakeholders Kick As Traditional Rulers Endorse Ebonyi Speaker As Guber Candidate". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- Ajaja, Tunde; Ede, Raphael; Odogwu, Ted; Odey, Patrick; Tyopuusu, Justin; Oyelude, Olaide; Ochei, Matthew; Naku, Dennis; Wakaso, Aisha; Nwakanma, Sunday; Nnachi, Edward; Abraham, James (23 April 2022). "2023: Ganduje, Okowa, Ikpeazu, Ortom, Wike others in succession crisis". The Punch. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
In Ebonyi State, the APC stakeholders of the Izzi clan, comprising Ebonyi, Abakaliki and Izzi local government areas, disagreed over who would succeed Dave Umahi in 2023. They expressed their opposition to the rumoured support of the governor for the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru.
- Nworie, Benjamin. "Ebonyi Senator Emerges APC Guber Consensus Aspirant". ThisDay. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- Majeed, Bakare (20 April 2022). "UPDATED: 2023: APC fixes presidential forms for N100 million, adopts indirect primaries". Premium Times. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- Angbulu, Stephen; Ayeni, Victor; Dada, Peter; Naku, Dennis; Ede, Raphael (21 April 2022). "Presidential primary: APC silent on zoning, Nigerians condemn N100m nomination fee". The Punch. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- APC Nigeria [@OfficialAPCNg] (April 25, 2022). "OFFICIAL" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 April 2022 – via Twitter.
- Ignatius, Monday. "Unveiling Major Contenders Ahead Ebonyi 2023". Independent Nigeria. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- Nworie, Benjamin. "Ebonyi Senator Joins APC Governorship Race". ThisDay. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- Odufowokan, 'Dare. "Ebonyi: APC, PDP in fierce supremacy battle". The Nation. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- Sobechi, Leo. "Finalist governors faced with tricky succession plans". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- Aliuna, Godwin. "2023: Ebonyi SSG resigns, declares for senate". Daily Post. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
- Oko, Steve. "2023: APGA aspirants protest high costs of nomination forms". Vanguard. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- "Provisional Timetable/Schedule of Activities for 2022 Primary Election". Facebook. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- Olokor, Friday (25 March 2022). "2023: APGA begins sale of forms Tuesday". The Punch. Abuja. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- "Ex Ebonyi SSG Odoh declares for guber". The Sun Nigeria. 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
- Okutu, Peter. "2023: Ebonyi PDP zones gov'ship to Abakaliki bloc, holds Congress on 2nd October". Vanguard. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- Angbulu, Stephen (21 April 2022). "2023: PDP extends sale of forms for fourth time". The Punch. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- Yakubu, Dirisu (16 March 2022). "[BREAKING] 2023: PDP Presidential primary holds in May". Vanguard. Abuja. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- Akpan, Samuel (17 March 2022). "2023: PDP releases pre-election schedule, fixes presidential primary poll for May 28". TheCable. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- Ndujihe, Clifford. "How PDP will reclaim Ebonyi in 2023 – Nwonu, gov aspirant". Vanguard. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- "PDP screens 48 aspirants for governor in S'West, S'East". The Nation. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
Aspirants from Ebonyi are: Fide Nwankwo; Chris Usulor; Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii (Anyichuks); Igwe Nwagu and Anayo Edwin. Others are Chukwuma Nwazunku; Augustine Nwazunku; Sylvester Ogbaga; Emmanuel Eze; Anayo Edwin and Obinna Ogba
- "Ebonyi 2023: 'I will bring people elements back to governance' —Dr Ezeh". AdvocateNews. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- Aliuna, Godwin. "Ex-Minister on Health, Nwankwo declares for governorship in Ebonyi". Daily Post. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- Nnachi, Edward (29 March 2022). "Brothers battle to succeed Umahi, pick PDP gov form". The Punch. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
- "2023: Senator Ogba joins Ebonyi gov race". The Punch. Retrieved 1 January 2022.