The 2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Enugu State will be held on 25 February 2023, to elect the 3 federal Senators from Enugu 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 were held between 4 April and 9 June 2022.
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All 3 Enugu State seats in the Senate of Nigeria | ||||||||||||||||
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![]() PDP incumbent retiring PDP incumbent running for re-election |
Background
editIn the previous Senate elections, two of three incumbent senators were returned with Utazi Chukwuka (PDP-North) and Ike Ekweremadu (PDP-West) winning re-election while Gilbert Nnaji (PDP-East) lost renomination. In the East district, Chimaroke Nnamani retained the seat for the PDP with 88% of the vote; the PDP also held the other two seats as Chukwuka was re-elected with 86% of the vote in the North district while Ekweremadu was returned with 78% in the West district. These results were a part of a continuation of the PDP's control of the state as Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was re-elected with over 95% of the vote in the gubernatorial election and the party won a majority in the House of Assembly. The PDP also swept all House of Representatives seats to the APC and the state was easily won by PDP presidential nominee Atiku Abubakar.
At the beginning of the term, Ekweremadu lost his longtime Deputy Senate President office but remained a prominent senator until June 2022 when he and his wife were arrested in the United Kingdom for an organ-harvesting conspiracy.[1][2][3] For his colleagues, Chukwuka was noted for his criticisms of Buhari while Nnamani often got into online arguments.[4][5]
Overview
editAffiliation | Party | Total |
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PDP | ||
Previous Election | 3 | 3 |
Before Election | 3 | 3 |
After Election | TBD | 3 |
Summary
editDistrict | Incumbent | Results | ||
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Incumbent | Party | Status | Candidates | |
Enugu East | Chimaroke Nnamani | PDP | Incumbent renominated |
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Enugu North | Utazi Chukwuka | PDP | Incumbent retired New member elected LP gain |
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Enugu West | Ike Ekweremadu | PDP | Incumbent retired New member elected PDP hold |
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Enugu East
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The Enugu East Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Enugu North, Enugu South, Isi Uzo, Nkanu East, and Nkanu West. The incumbent Chimaroke Nnamani (PDP) was elected with 88.3% of the vote in 2019 and is seeking re-election.
Primary elections
editAll Progressives Congress
editOn 28 May, the sole candidate—Adaku Ogbu-Aguocha—won the primary unopposed at the party's zonal secretariat in Enugu. After the primary, Ogbu-Aguocha said 'the days of sleeping senators are over for the district.'[17][18]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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APC | Adaku Ogbu-Aguocha | 270 | 100.00% | |
Total votes | 270 | 100.00% | ||
Invalid or blank votes | 14 | N/A | ||
Turnout | 284 | 73.77% |
People's Democratic Party
editThe Agbani-held primary resulted in Nnamani winning renomination unanimously over former state government Chief of Staff Ifeoma Nwobodo and three other candidates.[25]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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PDP | Chimaroke Nnamani | 243 | 100.00% | |
PDP | Other candidates | 0 | 0.00% | |
Total votes | 243 | 100.00% |
Campaign
editIn the midst of the senatorial campaign, Nnamani rose to national attention in the presidential race as a prominent supporter of APC presidential nominee Bola Tinubu despite being a member of the PDP.[26] Due to this cross-party endorsement, Nnamani's PDP membership was suspended by the party's National Working Committee in January 2023 due to "anti-party activities."[27][28] In response, Nnamani decried the suspension process and vowed to continue his political career.[29] Nevertheless, his continued support for Tinubu led the NWC to expel him in mid-February.[30] Nnamani again rejected the process, and refused to stop his campaign or Tinubu support.[31][32][33]
Just days to the election, LP nominee Oyibo Chukwu was assassinated in an ambush after campaigning in Agbani on 22 February. In confirming the news, LP gubernatorial nominee Chijioke Edeoga revealed that at least five others had been murdered in the attack and blamed "political parties that felt threatened by the rise of the Labour Party in the state and are afraid they may lose the Saturday’s election."[34] The next day, the Labour Party requested that the election be postponed;[35] INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu said a postponement could be ordered as soon as the commission received an official notification of death from the LP.[36][37] The LP later formally notified INEC of the death, leading the commission to postpone the election to 11 March—the date of state elections.[38] In a replacement primary, Kelvin Chukwu—a lawyer and Oyibo Chukwu's brother—won the LP nomination on 5 March.[39]
General election
editResults
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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APP | Ifeyinwa Elizabeth Onuorah | |||
ADC | Kenneth Emmanuel Ani | |||
APC | Adaku Ogbu-Aguocha | |||
APGA | Uchenna Harrison Sunday Nwegbo | |||
LP | Kelvin Chukwu | |||
NRM | Jerry Uche Chukwu | |||
New Nigeria Peoples Party | Johnson Okwudili Edeh | |||
PDP | Chimaroke Nnamani | |||
SDP | Okwuchukwu Okolie | |||
Total votes | 100.00% | |||
Invalid or blank votes | N/A | |||
Turnout |
Enugu North
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The Enugu North Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Igbo Etiti, Igbo Eze North, Igbo Eze South, Nsukka, Udenu, and Uzo Uwani. The incumbent Utazi Chukwuka (PDP), who was elected with 86.1% of the vote in 2019, declined to seek re-election.[40]
Primary elections
editAll Progressives Congress
editSimon Ejike Eze was submitted to INEC as the APC nominee.[41]
People's Democratic Party
editBefore the primary, Chukwuka announced his retirement in favor of outgoing Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi's candidacy.[40] On the primary date, Ugwuanyi was nominated in a landslide over three other candidates at the Nsukka Township Stadium. After the results were announced, Ugwuanyi thanked delegates.[44][45]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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PDP | Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi | 299 | 94.62% | |
PDP | Other candidates | 17 | 5.38% | |
Total votes | 316 | 100.00% | ||
Invalid or blank votes | 2 | N/A | ||
Turnout | 318 | 100.00% |
Campaign
editIn the midst of the senatorial campaign, Ugwuanyi rose to national attention in the presidential race as a member of the G5 group—a grouping of five PDP governors which refused to support PDP presidential nominee Atiku Abubakar.[46] In the senatorial race, analysts labeled the election as a three-way race between Eze, Ugwuanyi, and Ezea (LP). By January 2023, rumors emerged that Ezea might withdraw in favor of Ugwuanyi as a part of a deal whereby the G5 would back LP presidential nominee Peter Obi; however, Ezea vehemently denied the reports and vowed to remain in the election.[47]
General election
editResults
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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ADP | Maryyaan Nellen Ngozichukwuka Abugu | |||
APP | Patrick Nwabueze Ubru | |||
ADC | Chika Emmanuel Idoko | |||
APC | Simon Ejike Eze | |||
APGA | Ugwu Casmir Kanayo | |||
LP | Okechukwu Ezea | |||
NRM | Emmanuel Okwudili Omeje | |||
New Nigeria Peoples Party | Onyeke Alphaeus Oyeke | |||
PRP | Emmanuel Ugwuodo | |||
PDP | Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi | |||
SDP | Gideon Okey Agbo | |||
Total votes | 100.00% | |||
Invalid or blank votes | N/A | |||
Turnout |
Enugu West
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The Enugu West Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Aninri, Awgu, Ezeagu, Oji River, and Udi. Incumbent Ike Ekweremadu (PDP) was re-elected with 78.3% of the vote in 2019. In March 2022, Ekweremadu announced that he would run for governor of Enugu State instead of seeking re-election;[48] Ekweremadu withdrew on the day of the gubernatorial primary.[49]
Primary elections
editAll Progressives Congress
editOn the primary date, Oby Nwofor was the only candidate and thus was nominated by affirmation at the primary.[50] However, Nicholas Chika Ezeh later replaced Nwofor as the nominee.
People's Democratic Party
editThe indirect primary ended with Osita Ngwu emerging as the nominee over former MHR Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi by a 53% margin.[53]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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PDP | Osita Ngwu | 177 | 75.97% | |
PDP | Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi | 53 | 22.75% | |
PDP | Akuabata Njeze | 3 | 1.29% | |
Total votes | 233 | 100.00% |
General election
editResults
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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APP | Onyekachukwu Nzekwe | |||
ADC | Stella Nneamaka Chukwuma | |||
APC | Nicholas Chika Ezeh | |||
APGA | Ndubuisi Kenechukwu Enechionyia | |||
LP | Dennis Oguerinwa Amadi | |||
NRM | Dominic Obiora Maduekwe | |||
New Nigeria Peoples Party | Cletus Nwannebuike Udeagulu | |||
PDP | Osita Ngwu | |||
SDP | Chares Osita Eluke | |||
Total votes | 100.00% | |||
Invalid or blank votes | N/A | |||
Turnout |
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ The election for Enugu East was postponed to 11 March due to the death of LP nominee Oyibo Chukwu.
References
edit- ^ Olasupo, Abisola. "Omo-Agege wins deputy Senate presidency election". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ Adebayo, Taiwo-Hassan. "Ekweremadu, wife arrested in London, charged with organ harvesting". Premium Times. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ "Ike Ekweremadu: Nigerian faces trial over UK organ-harvesting plot". BBC. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ Igwe, Ignatius. "Buhari Should Change His Attitude Towards South-East, Says Senator Utazi". Channels TV. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ Tolu-Kolawole, Deborah. "Senator Nnamani, Twitter user exchange insults". The Punch. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ Uzodinma, Emmanuel (28 May 2022). "Enugu East: Adaku Ogbu-Aguocha clinches APC Senatorial ticket". Daily Post. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g Adenekan, Samson. "Download: Full List of 2023 Presidential, Vice Presidential, NASS candidates". Premium Times. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ Njoku, Lawrence (24 May 2022). "Former governor Chimaroke Nnamani wins senatorial ticket in Enugu". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ^ Uzodinma, Emmanuel (24 May 2022). "PDP Primary: Governor Ugwuanyi wins Enugu North Senatorial ticket". Daily Post. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Ngwu replaces Ekweremadu as Ugwuanyi, Nnamani secure PDP senatorial tickets in Enugu". NNN. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
- ^ a b c Odunsi, Wale. "2023: APC extends sale of forms, fixes dates to elect delegates". Daily Post. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ a b c Nseyen, Nsikak. "2023: APC fixes new date for governorship primaries, others". Daily Post. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- ^ a b c Majeed, Bakare (20 April 2022). "UPDATED: 2023: APC fixes presidential forms for N100 million, adopts indirect primaries". Premium Times. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b c APC Nigeria [@OfficialAPCNg] (11 May 2022). "NEW DATES" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 May 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c APC Nigeria [@OfficialAPCNg] (18 May 2022). "ADJUSTED TIMETABLE" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 May 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Eze, Magnus. "APC: Ogbu-Aguocha clinches Enugu East senatorial ticket". The Sun. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ a b Uzodinma, Emmanuel. "Enugu East: Adaku Ogbu-Aguocha clinches APC Senatorial ticket". Daily Post. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ a b c Angbulu, Stephen (21 April 2022). "2023: PDP extends sale of forms for fourth time". The Punch. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ "IPOB's Sit-At-Home Forces PDP To Shift Primaries In South East". Daily Trust. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ a b c Yakubu, Dirisu (16 March 2022). "[BREAKING] 2023: PDP Presidential primary holds in May". Vanguard. Abuja. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ a b c Akpan, Samuel (17 March 2022). "2023: PDP releases pre-election schedule, fixes presidential primary poll for May 28". TheCable. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ a b c Official PDP Nigeria [@OfficialPDPNig] (5 May 2022). "2023 General Elections: @OfficialPDPNig updated Time Table and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 general elections. See below" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 May 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Oyeleke, Sodiq. "2023: Again, PDP adjusts dates for primaries". The Punch. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ a b Njoku, Lawrence. "Former governor Chimaroke Nnamani wins senatorial ticket in Enugu". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ Adeleye, Damilare. "PDP Senator, Nnamani Endorses Tinubu For 2023 Presidency". The Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ Akinboyo, Temidayo. "2023: PDP suspends Chimaroke Nnamani, Fayose's son, Chris Ogbu, others". Premium Times. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ "Why PDP suspend former Govnor Chimaroke Nnamani, odas few weeks to election?". BBC Pidgin. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ Ibrahim, El-Ameen. "PDP suspension: My political career still alive – Nnamani". The Punch. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ Akpan, Samuel. "PDP expels Chimaroke Nnamani". TheCable. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ "Nnamani reacts to expulsion from PDP, says party's action a nullity". Premium Times. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ Omogbolagun, Tope. "Nnamani continues campaign for Tinubu despite PDP expulsion". The Punch. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ Aborisade, Sunday. "Nnamani Taking Bullets for Supporting Tinubu". ThisDay. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ Ede, Raphael. "Labour Party senatorial candidate, five others killed in Enugu". The Punch. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
- ^ Nnamani, Adanna. "Party wants election postponed in Enugu following candidate's murder". The Sun. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
- ^ Nwachukwu, John Owen. "Oyibo Chukwu's murder: How Labour Party can field new candidate – INEC". Daily Post. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
- ^ Ugwu, Romanus. "BREAKING: Chukwu's murder: INEC to postpone Enugu East senatorial district poll". The Sun. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
- ^ Suleiman, Qosim. "UPDATED: INEC postpones Enugu East Senatorial Election". Premium Times. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
- ^ "Enugu East LP candidate: Kelvin Chukwu succeeds assassinated elder brother". Vanguard. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ a b "2023: Senator Utazi declines Senatorial ambition in support of Ugwuanyi's bid". The Guardian. News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ Omogbolagun, Tope. "Full list: APC submits senatorial candidates' names to INEC". The Punch. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
- ^ "IPOB's Sit-At-Home Forces PDP To Shift Primaries In South East". Daily Trust. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ Oyeleke, Sodiq. "2023: Again, PDP adjusts dates for primaries". The Punch. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Gov Ugwuanyi wins PDP's Enugu North Senatorial ticket". Premium Times. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ Uzodinma, Emmanuel. "PDP Primary: Governor Ugwuanyi wins Enugu North Senatorial ticket". Daily Post. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ "PDP Crisis: Wike, Makinde, others meet in Lagos, form Integrity Group". Premium Times. News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ Odufowokan, 'Dare. "Enugu North: Ugwuanyi faces tough battle with LP, APC". The Nation. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ Uzodinma, Emmanuel. "Enugu guber: Ekweremadu makes public declaration, names campaign coordinator". Daily Post. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ Uzodinma, Emmanuel. "Enugu PDP: Ekweremadu, Nnaji, Onoh withdraw from guber race". Daily Post. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ "2023: Former Enugu APC women leader, Nwofor wins senatorial ticket of the party". Daily Gazette. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ "IPOB's Sit-At-Home Forces PDP To Shift Primaries In South East". Daily Trust. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ Oyeleke, Sodiq. "2023: Again, PDP adjusts dates for primaries". The Punch. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Chief Ngwu Emerges Enugu West Senatorial Candidate, May Replace Ekweremadu". The Whistler. Retrieved 11 August 2022.