The Independent National Electoral Commission,Monday,published the final list of qualified candidates for general elections next year.
Atiku Abubakar ( PDP) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu(APC), Peter Gregory Obi (LP) and Rabiu Kwankwaso( NNPP), were listed alongside their running mates to fly the flag of their different political parties at the polls.
Also listed for the presidential election include Imomolem Irene Christopher (A),
Almustapha Hamza (AA), Sowore Omoleye Stephen (AAC), Sani Yabagi (ADP) Umeadi Peter Nnanna (APGA), Ojie Princess Chichi, (APM),Nnadi Charles Osita,( APP) and Adenuga Sunday Oluwafemi (BP)
Others are: Osakwe Felix Johnson (NRM), Abiola Latifu Kolawole (PRP), Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer (SDP), Ado Ibrahim Abdulmalik (YPP) and Nwanyanwu Daniel Daberechukwu (ZLP).
For senatorial candidates, the Independent National Electoral Commission did not publishing the name of the serving Senate President, Ahmed Lawan for Yobe North senatorial district and Alhaji Machina ,the alleged winner of the nomination.
The same thing happened in Abia Central Senatorial district where the commission refused to publish the name of Hon Sam Onuigb, winner of the party’s nomination nor Emeka Atuma , who was imposed on the district by APC leaders.
Barrister Festus Okoye, INEC national commissioner and chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said the approveal and publication of the final list of candidates for national elections (Presidential, Senatorial and Federal Constituencies) was “pursuant to section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and item 8 of the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election”.
According to him ,the published list contains the names of candidates validly nominated for national elections at the close of party primaries and the period earmarked for withdrawal and substitution of candidates”
He also said the final list of candidates for State elections (Governorship and State Constituencies) will be published on 4th October 2022 as already indicated on the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election.
He added:”In summary, all the 18 political parties have fielded candidates and their running mates for the Presidential election. For legislative elections, 1,101 candidates are vying for 109 Senatorial seats and 3,122 candidates for Federal Constituencies i.e. House of Representatives seats, making a total of 4,223 candidates contesting for 469 legislative positions.
“In terms of gender distribution, 3,875 candidates are male, made up of 35 for Presidential and Vice Presidential, 1,008 for Senate and 2,832 for House of Representatives. Similarly, 381 females comprising 1 for Presidential, 92 for Senate, and 288 for House of Representatives are contesting. There are also 11 Persons with Disability (PWDs) in the race”.