Ime Akpan
No fewer than 2, 402 candidates are jostling for the governorship and house of assembly positions in Benue Imo, Anambra and Nasarawa states in the elections that hold tomorrow, March 9
In Benue State, it was learnt that 32 contestants are gunning for the governorship slot while 432 candidates go for the house of assembly seats.
Records obtained from the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Makurdi showed that the contestants include the incumbent governor, Dr Samuel Ortom of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Emmanuel Jime of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In Imo State, 1,048 candidates are contesting in the governorship and legislative polls.
A breakdown of the candidates as displayed by INEC on Friday showed that 67 candidates are jostling for the governorship slot while 981 contest for the 27 legislative seats.
From the INEC register, it was observed that Mbaitoli and Ikeduru constituencies have the highest number of candidates with 45 each.
Following Mbaitoli and Ikeduru is Isiala Mbano, 42, Ehime Mbano, 40, Ngor Okpala, 39, while Ezinihitte and Oguta have 38 candidates each while Njaba brings up the rear with has 32 contestants.
The Action Alliance (AA), with Mr. Uche Nwosu, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with Mr. Emeka Ihedioha as its governorship flag bearer and the All Progressives Congress (APC) with Mr. Hope Uzodinma as its candidate field the highest number of candidates, having 27 each.
In Anambra State, no fewer than 518 candidates will battle for the 30 seats in Anambra State House of Assembly.
Governorship election is not taking place in the state this season.
This is as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state has expressed its readiness for the election.
Statistics obtained from INEC) office showed that Awka North and Awka South state constituencies have the highest number of candidates while Ayamelum, Onitsha North II and Anaocha II constituencies have the least, 13 each.
Aguata II, Anambra East, and Awka South II constituencies, have19 candidates each while Aguata I, Oyi, Anambra West, Idemili North, and Ihiala I state constituencies have 18 candidates respectively.
Also Onitsha South I, Orumba South, Anaocha I, Idemili South, Njikoka I, Nnewi North, and Onitsha South II constituencies have17 candidates each vying for seats.
In Nasarawa State, 372 candidates from 29 political parties are vying for the one governorship position and 24 seats in the house of assembly.
Keffi West constituency has the highest number of contestants from 19 political parties, while Awe South has the least with 10.
It was gathered that out of the number of contestants, 19 are females comprising one for governorship and 18 for state house of assembly seats.
Some of the political parties fielding candidates in the governorship election and almost all the state constituencies are Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) and All Progressives Congress (APC), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Zenith Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and People’s Democratic Party
With NAN reports
