2023 Senate elections in Ebonyi
2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Ebonyi State
| ← 2019 |
25 February 2023 |
2027 → |
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All 3 Ebonyi State seats in the Senate of Nigeria |
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Majority party
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| Party
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PDP
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| Last election
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3
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| Seats before
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3
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 PDP incumbent retiring
PDP incumbent running for re-election |
The 2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Ebonyi State will be held on 25 February 2023, to elect the three federal Senators from Ebonyi 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.
Background
In the previous Senate elections, two of three incumbent senators were returned with Joseph Ogba (PDP-Central) and Sam Egwu (PDP-North) winning re-election while Sonni Ogbuoji (APC-South) retired to unsuccessfully run for governor.
In the South district, Michael Ama Nnachi regained the seat for the PDP with 79% of the vote; the PDP held the other two seats as Ogba was re-elected with 56% of the vote in the Central district while Egwu was returned with 67% in the North district. These results were a part of a continuation of the PDP's control of the state as Governor Dave Umahi was re-elected with over 73% of the vote in the gubernatorial election and the party won a majority in the House of Assembly.
However, the PDP did lose one House of Representatives seat to the APC 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.
Overview
| Affiliation
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Party
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Total
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| PDP
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APC
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| Previous Election
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3
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0
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3
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| Before Election
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3
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0
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3
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| After Election
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0
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3
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3
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Summary
This table is an excerpt from 2023 Nigerian Senate election § Ebonyi State.
Ebonyi Central
2023 Ebonyi Central Senatorial District election
| ← 2019 |
25 February 2023 |
2027 → |
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Senator before election
Joseph Ogba
PDP
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Elected Senator
Engr Kenneth C. Eze
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The Ebonyi Central Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Ezza North, Ezza South, Ikwo, and Ishielu. The incumbent Joseph Ogba (PDP) was elected with 55.6% of the vote in 2019. In January 2022, Ogba announced that he would run for governor of Ebonyi State instead of seeking re-election.
Primary Elections
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 were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May. After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 18 May was the date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for 16 and 17 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 27 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 28 May.
The primary in Onueke resulted in Kenneth Eze—the Ezza South Local Government Chairman—emerging as the nominee unopposed.
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 were screened by a party committee on 27 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 23 May, in concurrence with other PDP senatorial primaries but due to often violently enforced Monday stay-at-home orders by separatists, southeastern state parties held their primaries on 24 May; challenges to the result could be made on 25 May.
Primary results showed Lazarus Ogbe—former MHR for Ezza South/Ikwo and former Commissioner for Intergovernmental Affairs—emerging as the nominee over former Minister of Culture and Tourism Frank Ogbuewu and other candidates in a landslide. However, the national PDP initially attempt to nullify the senatorial primaries; the national party later backtracked amid outcry from victorious candidates (including Ogbe) and INEC listed Ogbe as the legitimate nominee.
General election
Results
Ebonyi North
2023 Ebonyi North Senatorial District election
| ← 2019 |
25 February 2023 |
2027 → |
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Senator before election
Sam Egwu
PDP
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Elected Senator
TBD
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The Ebonyi North Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Izzi, and Ohaukwu. The incumbent Sam Egwu (PDP), who was elected with 66.8% of the vote in 2019, is seeking re-election.
Primary elections
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 were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May. After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 18 May was the date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for 16 and 17 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 27 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 28 May.
The primary at the local government headquarters of Abakaliki LGA resulted in Onyekachi Nwaebonyi—former Commissioner for Capital City Development and former state PDP Chairman—emerging as the nominee over former MHR Elizabeth Ogbaga in a landslide. After the primary, Nwaebonyi stated that he 'would focus on youth empowerment and capacity building' and thanked Governor Dave Umahi for his support.
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 were screened by a party committee on 27 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 23 May, in concurrence with other PDP senatorial primaries but due to often violently enforced Monday stay-at-home orders by separatists, southeastern state parties held their primaries on 24 May; challenges to the result could be made on 25 May.
On the primary date, Egwu was renominated at the state PDP secretariat in Abakaliki; he won unanimously over Ojemba Chikodili Fidelis Mbam and Emeka Otozi, who both boycotted the primary and rejected the results. After the primary, Egwu praised the primary's conduct and thanked delegates. However, the national PDP initially attempt to nullify the senatorial primaries; the national party later backtracked amid outcry from victorious candidates and INEC listed Egwu as the legitimate nominee. Mbam approached the judiciary to challenge the results but his case and appeals were dismissed by rulings from a High Court, Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court by November.
Campaign
In review of the campaign in December 2022, reporting from The Nation categorized Nwaebonyi as the frontrunner due to clan and regional dynamics that work against Egwu's third term bid. Pundits also contend that the APC could be boosted in the district as its gubernatorial nominee—Francis Nwifuru—is a native of the area.
General election
Results
Ebonyi South
2023 Ebonyi South Senatorial District election
| ← 2019 |
25 February 2023 |
2027 → |
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The Ebonyi South Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ivo, Ohaozara, and Onicha. The incumbent Michael Ama Nnachi (PDP), who was elected with 78.8% of the vote in 2019, is seeking re-election.
Primary elections
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 were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May. After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 18 May was the date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for 16 and 17 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 27 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 28 May.
Prior to the primary, Governor Dave Umahi reportedly issued a directive for aspirants to step down in favour of a single candidate; however, Ann Agom-Eze refused to drop out for Austin Umahi—a former PDP official and brother of Governor Dave Umahi. On the original primary date, Austin Umahi defeated Agom-Eze by a wide margin and thanked delegates after the results were announced. Despite gratitude in victory, Austin Umahi was revealed to have been a placeholder for his brother as Austin Umahi withdrew from the nomination and an impromptu rerun primary was won by Dave Umahi unopposed on 10 June. However, the sudden primary ruled to be illegitimate by a High Court as Agom-Eze's name was not on the ballot and INEC did not list Dave Umahi on its provisional nominee list in June. In response, the state APC initially claimed that INEC had made an error before changing course and conducting a new rerun primary at the local government headquarters of Afikpo North LGA on 1 August; Dave Umahi easily won but Agom-Eze continued to claim that the rerun primaries should not have allowed new candidates and thus she was the rightful nominee. Due to her claims, the Ebonyi APC expelled Agom-Eze for 'rebellious and unruly behaviour' as she is allegedly "being bankrolled by the opposition party." In response, Agom-Eze claimed that she faced persistent harassment and death threats due to her opposition to Umahi. Her lawsuit eventually made its way to the Supreme Court in December, which ruled in favour of Umahi.
Original primary results
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 were screened by a party committee on 27 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 23 May, in concurrence with other PDP senatorial primaries but due to often violently enforced Monday stay-at-home orders by separatists, southeastern state parties held their primaries on 24 May; challenges to the result could be made on 25 May.
On the primary date, Ama Nnachi was renominated in Afikpo North; he won in a landslide over Batholomew Olughu and Linus Chinedu Okorie. However, the national PDP initially attempt to nullify the senatorial primaries; the national party later backtracked amid outcry from victorious candidates and INEC listed Ama Nnachi as the legitimate nominee.
Campaign
Analysis at the start of the official campaign period in early October categorized the election as a four-way race between Ama Nnachi, APGA nominee Ifeanyi Eleje, LP nominee Linus Abaa Okorie, and Umahi. Pundits noted LGA-based regional dynamics along with potential paths of victory for the major contenders. Later that month, national attention turned to the race due to the reported kidnapping of Okorie by gunman on 16 October; however, a later police statement stated that he had been arrested and detained. The LP protested the arrest as political persecution by Umahi and critics labeled the arrest as another example of governors using security forces to abuse the opposition. At the end of that month, an analysis piece from The Guardian also focused on regional dynamics as Eleje and Ama Nnachi are from Afikpo while Okorie and Umahi are from the Ivo-Ohaozara-Onicha axis. The report also reviewed the Okorie-Umahi political relationship from 2011 before reviewing attempts to free Okorie from detention. The election was also categorized as one of several examples of incumbent governors in competitive Senate races.
By November, the campaign became a focal point for criticism of Umahi's alleged authoritarianism as Okorie remained detained until 29 November and Eleje accused security forces of "not allowing the citizens' freedom of expression." These events along with criticism from the PDP and anti-Umahi APC members led observers to label state security forces as effectively Umahi's private militia. In an electoral analysis piece in December 2022, reporters from The Nation stated that Okorie's detention had backfired on Umahi amid public outcry, especially in Onicha—which is both Okorie's native LGA and electorally crucial to win the district. Later that month, a Daily Trust article on the race repeated previous issues for Umahi due to regional dynamics, but also contended that Okorie's detention had hurt his campaigning and Ama Nnachi lacked significant political clout.
General election
Results
See also
References
- ^ Aliuna, Godwin (28 May 2022). "Umahi's younger brother, Eze, Nwaebonyi emerge winners of Ebonyi APC senatorial primaries". Daily Post. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
- ^ Adenekan, Samson. "Download: Full List of 2023 Presidential, Vice Presidential, NASS candidates". Premium Times. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ EgwuAgha, Amarachukwu (31 May 2022). "Egwu, Ama-Nnachi, Ogbe pick Ebonyi PDP senatorial tickets". Blueprint Newspaper. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- Aliuna, Godwin (30 May 2022). "2023: Ex-governor, Egwu wins Ebonyi North senatorial primary election". Daily Post. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- Banjo, Noah (10 June 2022). "Umahi emerges APC senatorial candidate after presidential primary loss". The Punch. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- "2023: Senator Ogba joins Ebonyi gov race". The Punch. News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ Odunsi, Wale. "2023: APC extends sale of forms, fixes dates to elect delegates". Daily Post. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ Nseyen, Nsikak. "2023: APC fixes new date for governorship primaries, others". Daily Post. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ APC Nigeria (11 May 2022). "NEW DATES" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 May 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ APC Nigeria (18 May 2022). "ADJUSTED TIMETABLE" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 May 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Aliuna, Godwin. "Umahi's younger brother, Eze, Nwaebonyi emerge winners of Ebonyi APC senatorial primaries". Daily Post. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Official PDP Nigeria (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.
- ^ EgwuAgha, Amarachukwu. "Egwu, Ama-Nnachi, Ogbe pick Ebonyi PDP senatorial tickets". Blueprint Newspaper. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ Oyero, Kayode. "PDP cancels all primaries in Ebonyi". The Punch. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ Akpa, Nnamdi. "Ebonyi PDP candidates dissociate from fresh primary". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ Okutu, Peter. "2023: INEC unveils Ebonyi PDP NASS candidates". Vanguard. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ Okutu, Peter. "2023: Ex-PDP Chair wins APC Ebonyi North Senatorial district primary election". Vanguard. Retrieved 7 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.
- Agbana, Rotimi. "Egwu Clinches Ebonyi PDP Senatorial Ticket For Third Term". Independent Nigeria. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- Aliuna, Godwin. "2023: Supreme Court affirms ex-gov. Egwu as PDP senatorial candidate for Ebonyi North". Daily Post. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Odufowokan, ‘Dare; Anioke, Ogochukwu; Gill, Nsa; Njoku, Chris; Oladele, Bisi; Duruiheoma, Damian; Nwankwo, Sunny; Onu, Nwanosike. "2023: Senate races to watch". The Nation. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- "Umahi's younger brother wins APC's senatorial ticket in Ebonyi". Peoples Gazette. News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- Banjo, Noah. "Umahi emerges APC senatorial candidate after presidential primary loss". The Punch. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- Okutu, Peter. "Ebonyi South Senatorial seat: Ann Agom Eze appeals High Court judgement". Vanguard. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- Ugwu, Chinagorom. "Umahi's name missing as INEC publishes list of senatorial candidates". Premium Times. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- Okutu, Peter. "Senatorial ambition: Ebonyi APC debunks claim of Umahi's removal as Party's candidate". Vanguard. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ Nnachi, Edward. "Umahi emerges Ebonyi south senatorial candidate". The Punch. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- "Ebonyi APC expels Gov Umahi's opponent for senatorial ticket". Premium Times. News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- Nnachi, Edward. "My life under threat for contesting against Ebonyi governor – Agom-Eze". The Punch. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- Ugwu, Francis. "Supreme Court confirms Umahi as APC candidate for Ebonyi South". Daily Post. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- "Nyako clinches APC ticket for Adamawa central senatorial district". Premium Times. News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved 30 July 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.
- Agwu, Chijioke. "Nigeria Decides 2023: Umahi, Ebonyi South senatorial seat and battle ahead". The Sun. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- Nnachi, Edward. "Gunmen kidnap Labour Party Ebonyi senatorial candidate". The Punch. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- "Ebonyi LP senatorial candidate arrested, not abducted – Police". The Punch. News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- Alechenu, John. "LP demands release of abducted Ebonyi senatorial candidate". Vanguard. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- "Museveni tactics in Ebonyi". The Sun. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- Sobechi, Leo. "How Obidient 'Tsunami' tests Southeast governors' Senatorial ambition". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- Nnachi, Edward. "Ebonyi Ebubeagu: When security outfit is termed weapon of oppression". The Punch. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- "Umahi, 2 Others In Epic Battle For Ebonyi South Senatorial Seat". Daily Trust. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
Categories:
PDP incumbent retiring
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