2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Abia State
The 2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Abia State will be held on 25 February 2023, to elect the 3 federal Senators from Abia State, one from each of the state's three senatorial districts. The elections will coincide with the 2023 presidential election, as well as other elections to the Senate, and elections to the House of Representatives; with state elections being held two weeks later. Primaries will be held between 4 April and 3 June 2022.
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All 3 Abia State seats in the Senate of Nigeria | |||||||
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Background
In terms of the previous Senate elections, incumbent PDP senators Theodore Orji and Enyinnaya Abaribe won re-election by 24% in the Central District and 27% in the South District, respectively. On the other hand, fellow incumbent PDP senator Mao Ohuabunwa lost by 16% in the North District to former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu (APC). This result was the clearest example of the APC's gains in the state as the party also won two House of Representatives seats and slightly cut into the PDP's margin presidentially. However, state elections were easily swept by the PDP with incumbent Governor Okezie Ikpeazu winning by over 37% and every single House of Assembly seat was won by the party.
During their terms, all three senators were high-profile as Abaribe was appointed Senate Minority Leader after the swearing-ins, Kalu was convicted of fraud and briefly imprisoned before winning an appeal, and Orji was also embroiled in corruption investigations and was briefly arrested.
Summary
| District | Incumbent | Results | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incumbent | Party | Status | Candidates | |
| Abia Central | Theodore Orji | PDP | Incumbent retiring[1] | TBD
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| Abia North | Orji Uzor Kalu | APC | Incumbent's intent unknown | TBD
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| Abia South | Enyinnaya Abaribe | PDP | Incumbent retiring[2] | TBD
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Abia Central
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The Abia Central district covers Ikwuano, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South local government areas. The incumbent is Theodore Orji (PDP), who was re-elected with 51.9% of the vote in 2019. In December 2020, Orji confirmed that he was planning on retiring in 2023.[1]
All Progressives Congress
On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for senatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and nomination form price at ₦17 million with a 50% discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms are to be sold from 23 April until 6 May; after the submission of nomination forms by 10 May, candidates are to be screened by a party committee on 13 May while 17 May is the date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses and LGA congresses are set for between 7 and 9 April to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process will advance to a primary set for 24 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries.[3][4]
All Progressives Grand Alliance
On 25 March 2022, the national APGA announced its senatorial primary schedule, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦2.5 million and the nomination form price at ₦7.5 million with a 50% discount for women candidates and candidates with disabilities.[5] Forms were to be sold from 29 March to 11 April but the deadline was extended to 15 April;[6] after the submission of forms, senatorial candidates are to be screened by a party committee on 20 and 21 April while the screening appeal process is slated for 3 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 28 May, in concurrence with all other APGA senatorial primaries; challenges to the result will be made on 30 May.[7][8]
People's Democratic Party
On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its senatorial primary timetable, 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 27 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.[9] Candidates approved by the screening process will advance to a primary set for 14 May, in concurrence with all other PDP senatorial primaries; challenges to the result can be made on 18 May.[10][11]
Abia North
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The Abia North district covers Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Ohafia, and Umu Nneochi local government areas. The incumbent is Orji Uzor Kalu (APC), who was elected with 48.6% of the vote in 2019. In January 2022, Kalu announced that he would seek the APC presidential nomination;[12] it is currently unknown whether or not he will also seek re-election.
All Progressives Congress
On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for senatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and nomination form price at ₦17 million with a 50% discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms are to be sold from 23 April until 6 May; after the submission of nomination forms by 10 May, candidates are to be screened by a party committee on 13 May while 17 May is the date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses and LGA congresses are set for between 7 and 9 April to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process will advance to a primary set for 24 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries.[3][4]
All Progressives Grand Alliance
On 25 March 2022, the national APGA announced its senatorial primary schedule, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦2.5 million and the nomination form price at ₦7.5 million with a 50% discount for women candidates and candidates with disabilities.[5] Forms were to be sold from 29 March to 11 April but the deadline was extended to 15 April;[6] after the submission of forms, senatorial candidates are to be screened by a party committee on 20 and 21 April while the screening appeal process is slated for 3 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 28 May, in concurrence with all other APGA senatorial primaries; challenges to the result will be made on 30 May.[7][8]
People's Democratic Party
On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its senatorial primary timetable, 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 27 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.[9] Candidates approved by the screening process will advance to a primary set for 14 May, in concurrence with all other PDP senatorial primaries; challenges to the result can be made on 18 May.[10][11]
Abia South
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The Abia South district covers Aba North, Aba South, Obi Ngwa, Osisioma Ngwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East, and Ukwa West local government areas. The incumbent is Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP), who was re-elected with 57.4% of the vote in 2019. In December 2021, Abaribe announced that he would run for governor of Abia State, instead of seeking re-election.[2]
All Progressives Congress
On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for senatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and nomination form price at ₦17 million with a 50% discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms are to be sold from 23 April until 6 May; after the submission of nomination forms by 10 May, candidates are to be screened by a party committee on 13 May while 17 May is the date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses and LGA congresses are set for between 7 and 9 April to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process will advance to a primary set for 24 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries.[3][4]
All Progressives Grand Alliance
On 25 March 2022, the national APGA announced its senatorial primary schedule, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦2.5 million and the nomination form price at ₦7.5 million with a 50% discount for women candidates and candidates with disabilities.[5] Forms were to be sold from 29 March to 11 April but the deadline was extended to 15 April;[6] after the submission of forms, senatorial candidates are to be screened by a party committee on 20 and 21 April while the screening appeal process is slated for 3 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 28 May, in concurrence with all other APGA senatorial primaries; challenges to the result will be made on 30 May.[7][8]
People's Democratic Party
On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its senatorial primary timetable, 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 27 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.[9] Candidates approved by the screening process will advance to a primary set for 14 May, in concurrence with all other PDP senatorial primaries; challenges to the result can be made on 18 May.[10][11]
References
- Emeruwa, Chijindu. "Ex-Abia Governor, Theodore Orji insists on leaving politics in 2023". Daily Post. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- Opejobi, Seun. "2023: Abaribe declares interest to contest Abia guber election". Daily Post. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- Majeed, Bakare (20 April 2022). "UPDATED: 2023: APC fixes presidential forms for N100 million, adopts indirect primaries". Premium Times. Retrieved 25 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 25 April 2022.
- Oko, Steve. "2023: APGA aspirants protest high costs of nomination forms". Vanguard. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- "APGA extends sale of nomination forms by four days as over 300 aspirants troop in to pick forms". Vanguard. Retrieved 11 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.
- 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.
- Ibeh, Ifeanyi. "Why I am now running for president – Orji Kalu". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 April 2022.