The Anambra State gubernatorial election will finally take place this weekend. Here is a quick rundown of everything you need to know about it:
1. The election will be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday, November 18, 2017.
INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has advised voters to get to the polling units by 8am to make sure the electoral process works according to plan.
2. A record number of 37 candidates from 37 political parties are in contention for the governor’s seat. The state’s incumbent governor, Willie Obiano of the All Progressives’ Grand Alliance (APGA), will face stiff competition from Oseloka Obaze of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Tony Nwoye of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC).
3. According to the Delta State Police Command, there will be a restriction of vehicular movement on the popular Niger Bridge during the election. The restriction will commence from 12am on Friday, November 17, till after the election.
Only people on official or emergency duties with genuine means of identification would be allowed passage.
4. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has revealed that it will deploy 11,000 officers from seven states as well as 300 dogs for the conduct of the election.
The Anambra State Commandant of the Corps, Mr. John Ahwe, said four drones, ambulancesand medical teams as well as 115 vehicles will also be deployed.
On their own part, the police will deploy about 21,000 officers as well as use water boats and helicopters to ensure a safe election.
5. The state’s House of Assembly election for Idemili North constituency will also take place on Saturday.
6. For full participation, Governor Obiano has declared Friday, November 17, as a work-free day to enable civil servants to relocate to their electoral wards and vote.
7. Dr Nkwachukwu Orji is the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the election.
Here is a list of all the candidates released by INEC:
1. Willie Obiano – All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
Obiano is the incumbent governor of Anambra state and had to overcome internal party politics to retain the APGA’s ticket. He’s also retained his deputy, Nkemakonam C. Okeke, as his running mate.
Governor of Anambra state, Dr Willie Obiano.
With the clear advantage of being the incumbent, he is poised to fend off strong competition and win reelection.
2. Oseloka Henry Obaze – People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
The 62-year-old is one of the election’s biggest candidates. He’s previously served as a United Nations (UN) diplomat and as Secretary to the State Government of Anambra State for three years under both former Governor Peter Obi and incumbent Governor Obiano.
His running mate, Chidi Onyemelukwe, is also a formidable ally as a graduate of Law from the University of Wales and the daughter of former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme.
3. Tony Nwoye – All Progressives’ Congress (APC)
With the might of the presidential ruling party behind him, Nwoye is one of the biggest contenders backed to win the race.
The former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) failed in his last bid to become Anambra State governor with the PDP, as he came second.
His running mate is Dozie Ikedife Arinze.
4. Godwin Chukwunaenye Ezeemo – Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA)
Ezeemo is the only major candidate from Anambra south and is considered strong enough to pull off an upset at the poll with his running mate, Prince Leonard Uchendu.
5. Osita Chidoka – United Progressive Party (UPP)
Chidoka is a former Minister of Aviation who is committed to transforming the public service in the state to meet the people’s hopes and needs.
He is also a notable supporter of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, as he drove him away from Kuje prison when he was released on bail in April 2017.
He is one of the favourite candidates to win the election with Okeke Marcel Ogbonnaya as his running mate.
6. Uju Uchendu Ozoka – Action Alliance (AA)
The 48-year-old lawyer and publisher emerged as the AA’s consensus candidate after her only opponent failed the party’s screening exercise.
Her candidacy is the election’s only all-female ticket after she chose Theresa Nnalue as her running mate.
Her published works include Women And National Development (French And English), Nigeria Of My Dream, and Nigeria: Towards An Egalitarian Society.
7. Oby Kate Okafor – Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD)
Running on the promise to right the failure of the menfolk to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people, the Nollywood actress turned politician won her party’s ticket uncontested and chose Onyekwuluje Chidi Uzoma as her running mate.
8. Akunwata Ejoh Ojiba – Alliance Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN)
The retired Customs Officer has been a vocal voice during the campaign and is one of the seven candidates with a female running mate in Ebele Onyinye Angel.
9. Paul Chukwudi Obianaso – African Democratic Congress (ADC)
The indigene of Oghalegbu in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra is also running for governor with Francis Amechi Agumadu as his running mate.
10. Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo – Action Democratic Party (ADP)
11. Adaeze Chizube Okafor – Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA)
The graduate of Fine and Applied Arts from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) is another one of the five female candidates contesting the Anambra governorship election.
She defeated her rival during APDA’s primaries, Izuegbu Chinedu Chima, by 390 to 3 votes. Her running mate is Oguejiofor Franklin.
12. Emmanuel Uchenna Nwibe – Democratic Alternative (DA)
Nwibe is contesting the governorship election with the youngest running mate on the ballot paper in Okpezune Nnaemeka Kingsley who is 28 years old.
13. Edochie Yul Chibuike – Democratic People’s Congress (DPC)
Edochie is one of the most well-known candidates contesting the election as he’s a Nollywood actor turned politician.
The Dramatic Arts graduate from the University of Port Harcourt is the son of veteran actor, Pete Edochie, and, as one of the youngest candidates, has vowed to bring an end to the old order of politics that has denied the common people the true dividends of democracy.
Okeke Oluchukwu is his running mate.
14. Onuorah Basil Onyeachonam – Green Party of Nigeria (GPN)
The 38-year-old industrialist has promised to create three million jobs in four years if elected. His running mate is Chukwuanu Genevieve Nonye.
15. Samuel Osita Oraegbunam – Hope Democratic Party (HDP)
Sam Oraegbunam
Oraegbunam is a vocal critic of Governor Obiano and has promised to run a more transparent administration that’ll cater to the common people. His running mate is Arthur Regis Odidika.
16. Ndife Franklin Ikenna – Independent Democratic (ID)
The 35-year old farmer was elected unopposed to become his party’s flag-bearer and has promised to break the state away from the ‘retrogressive system’ that has held it back from proper development. His running mate is Nwabude Stephen Jachike.
17. Praise Okechukwu – Mega Progressive People’s Party (MPPP)
Okechukwu is another female candidate contesting the election with Ugochukwu Emmanuel Ndubuisi as her running mate.
18. Benneth Abaniwu – National Democratic Liberty Party (NDLP)
Abaniwu is a renowned hotelier who is also contesting the election, with Peter Chudi Okoye as his running mate.
19. Nnoli Amechi Justin – National Unity Party (NUP)
The 54-year-old Nnoli has worked for the presidential campaigns of former President Goodluck Jonathan and incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari (2002-2011), and he believes it is God’s wish for him to lead Anambra State.
His running mate is Agbata Martin Ikechukwu.
20. Peter Chibike – People for Democratic Change (PDC)
The 44-year-old believes Anambra needs someone with passion, foresight and strength to take it to the next level of development, and that he represents that perfectly.
His running mate is Okudo Christian Chukwuemeka.
21. Kenneth Ejike Modezie – People’s Progressive Party (PPP)
Pastor Modezie, a former bank manager, has promised to ensure that Anambra’s children and youths have access to quality education at least from primary to secondary school levels.
He contested for a House of Representatives position in 2011 but lost. His running mate is Chinweze Ogechukwu.
22. Stephen Obiorah Mbah – People’s Redemption Party (PRP)
Stephen Obiorah Mbah
The industrialist and self-acclaimed “servant leader” has promised to transform the state into an economic powerhouse if he’s victorious with his running mate, Onyejiaka Norbert Anabalaonye.
23. Ozoemena Nonso – Young Democratic Party (YDP)
Ozoemena is another 35-year-old contestant that considers his candidacy to be a revolution against the old order of Nigerian politics as he’s bent on providing the sort of leadership that Anambra deserves.
Ugochukwu Nwofor is his running mate.
Other candidates with very little known about them are:
24. Nnaemeka Ifeoma Ezibe – Young Progressive Party (YPP)
Running mate: Odiniru Chigozie Faminus
25. Nweke Christopher Chukwudubem – African People’s Party (APP)
Running mate: Akabike Ifeanyichukwu
26. Ohanugo Ikem Cecil – Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP)
Running mate: Eze Nnabuike Ogbonna
27. Ifeanyi l. Obalum – Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Running mate: Clement Chukwuraa Okafor
28. Stanley Uche Ezeanyaku – United Democratic Party (UDP)
Running mate: Eric Chijioke Enemo
29. Henry Ikechukwu Onuorah – People’s Party of Nigeria (PPN)
Running mate: Igboanusi Glory Ugochi
30. Felix A.R. Obi-Okafor – Nigeria Elements Progressive Party (NEPP)
Running mate: Nneka Anasudu
31. Okafor Charles Ogbonna – New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)
Running mate: Okolie Oliver Elvis
32. Val. Okey Oguejiofor – Nigeria People’s Congress (NPC)
Running mate: Okafor Ejike Samuel
33. Chinedu Uzoma Okpalanma – National Conscience Party (NCP)
Running mate: Chukwuma Ivan Egeonu
34. Rufus Okeke Sunday Ezeokolonkwor – Kowa Party
Running mate: Ezeonyirimba Charles Izuchukwu
35. Christian Okechukwu Enemuo – Labour Party (LP)
Running mate: Okoye Obi Vincent
36. Okafor Onyeka Christian – Masses Movement Of Nigeria (MMN)
Running mate: Onwuka Osita