The 2023 Ebonyi State gubernatorial election will take place on 11 March 2023, to elect the

Governor of Ebonyi State Ebonyi State, Nigeria has been led by governors and administrators since its creation in October 1996 from the old Abakaliki division of Enugu State and old Afikpo division of Abia State. See also * States of Nigeria *List of state governors ...

, concurrent with elections to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly as well as twenty-seven other gubernatorial elections and elections to all other state houses of assembly. The election will be held two weeks after the

presidential election A presidential election is the election of any head of state whose official title is President. Elections by country Albania The president of Albania is elected by the Assembly of Albania who are elected by the Albanian public. Chile The pre ...

and National Assembly elections. Incumbent APC Governor

Dave Umahi David Nweze Umahi CON (born July 25, 1964) better known as Dave Umahi is a Nigerian politician who is currently serving as the Governor of Ebonyi State. Early life and education Umahi was born 25 July 1964. He is the son of Elder Joseph Uma ...

is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term. Party primaries were scheduled for between 4 April and 9 June 2022 with the

All Progressives Grand Alliance The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is a political party in Nigeria. Electoral history At the legislative elections held on 12 April 2003, the party won 1.4% of popular votes and 2 of 360 seats in the House of Representatives of Nigeri ...

nominating former Secretary to the State Government Bernard Odoh on 29 May while both the

All Progressives Congress The All Progressives Congress (APC) is one of the two major contemporary political parties in Nigeria, along with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Founded on 6 February 2013 from a merger of Nigeria's three largest opposition parties, the ...

and the Peoples Democratic Party had two separate parallel primaries. For the APC, one primary nominated Speaker of the House of Assembly Francis Nwifuru on 26 May while another was won by former Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission chairman Elias Mbam on the same day; in the PDP, one primary nominated businessman Ifeanyi Odii on 30 May as a different primary nominated

Senator A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...

for Ebonyi Central

Joseph Ogba Joseph Obinna Ogba (born 1961 in Ebonyi State, Nigeria) is a Nigerian politician. He is the senator representing Ebonyi Central senatorial district in the Nigerian Senate. He is a member of the 8th National Assembly in Nigeria and also senator-e ...

on 6 June. By July, INEC recognised Nwifuru as the APC nominee while the PDP nomination was awarded to Odii by the

Supreme Court A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, apex court, and high (or final) court of appeal. Broadly speaking, the decisions of ...

in September.

Electoral system

The

is elected using a modified

two-round system The two-round system (TRS), also known as runoff voting, second ballot, or ballotage, is a voting method used to elect a single candidate, where voters cast a single vote for their preferred candidate. It generally ensures a majoritarian resul ...

. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two-thirds of state

local government areas A local government area (LGA) is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a state, province, division, or territory. The phrase i ...

. If no candidate passes this threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government areas.

Background

Ebonyi State Ebonyi State ( ig, Ȯra Ebonyi) is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north and northeast by Benue State, Enugu State to the west, Cross River State to the east and southeast, and Abia State to the southwes ...

is a small, Igbo-majority

southeastern The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A compass rose is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each se ...

state with a growing economy and vast natural areas but facing an underdeveloped yet vital agricultural sector, rising debt, and a low COVID-19 vaccination rate. Politically, the state's 2019 elections were categorized as a continuation of the PDP's control as Umahi

won Won may refer to: *The Korean won from 1902–1910 *South Korean won, the currency of the Republic of Korea *North Korean won, the currency of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea * Won (Korean surname) * Won (Korean given name) * Won Buddhis ...

with over 81% of the vote and the party

every seat in the House of Assembly along with all three senate seats. However, the PDP did lose one House of Representatives seat to the APC after a court ruling 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. In the interim between 2019 and 2023, the state's political landscape drastically changed as Umahi defecting to the APC in November 2020 set in motion a wave of other defections that gave the APC control of the House of Assembly. While the defections massively improved the APC's southeastern standing, the legal ramifications are still unknown as a high court briefly removed Umahi and all assemblymembers who also defected from office in March 2022 until the decision was overturned on appeal; it has been appealed further. Ahead of his second term, Umahi stated focuses included agriculture, economic development, and resource development; however, he was criticized for authoritarian-esque actions. Alarms were raised after Umahi's defection when he ordered security forces to lock the state PDP secretariat in 2021 and when the state PDP spokesman was arrested for criticizing Umahi in 2022; he was also accused of using security forces to harass critics and political opponents. At other points during his administration, Umahi was given praise for economic diversification and increasing government transparency while receiving further criticism for blaming IPOB attacks on politicians without evidence and ranting against the judiciary.

Primary elections

The primaries, along with any potential challenges to primary results, were to take place between 4 April and 3 June 2022 but the deadline was extended to 9 June. An informal zoning

gentlemen's agreement A gentlemen's agreement, or gentleman's agreement, is an informal and legally non-binding agreement between two or more parties. It is typically oral, but it may be written or simply understood as part of an unspoken agreement by convention or th ...

sets the Ebonyi North Senatorial District to have the next governor as Ebonyi North has not held the governorship since 2007. However, some groups such as the Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora claimed that as one full rotation of districts would be complete in 2023, further zoning was unnecessary. On the other hand, some leaders in the Izzi subgroup of the

Igbo people The Igbo people ( , ; also spelled Ibo" and formerly also ''Iboe'', ''Ebo'', ''Eboe'', * * * ''Eboans'', ''Heebo''; natively ) are an ethnic group in Nigeria. They are primarily found in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States. A ...

claim that not only should the governorship be zoned to Ebonyi North, it should go to the Izzi as former Governor

Sam Egwu Sam Ominyi Egwu CON (born 20 June, 1954) is a Nigerian politician and member of People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria. He was elected Governor of Ebonyi State in the 1999 Ebonyi State gubernatorial election from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007 ...

was from a non-Izzi area of Ebonyi North. Meanwhile, some leaders in the Ezaa subgroup of the

called for their group to hold the governorship as the Ezaa are one of the largest subgroups in the state. Eventually, the PDP settled on zoning to the "Abakaliki bloc" (the North and Central Senatorial Districts) while APGA and the APC declined to formally zone their nominations.

All Progressives Congress

Ahead of the primary, the state APC constituted a zoning committee that submitted its report in April 2022; along with the zoning committee, Umahi also asked leaders from both the Ezaa and Izzi subethnic groups to put forward candidates. While Ezaa APC leaders settled on former Senator

Julius Ucha Julius Ucha (born 19 October 1958) was elected Senator for the Ebonyi Central constituency of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, taking office on 29 May 2003, and was reelected in 2007. He is a member of the All Progressives Congress(APC). Ucha earned an ...

at a meeting in

Onueke Onueke is the ancestral headquarters of the Ezza, Ezzas are the most populous clans in the Ebonyi State of Nigeria. Ezza people live in virtually all three senatorial zones of Ebonyi State and beyond, but are concentrated in the Ezza North, Ezz ...

, the Izzi process was much more contentious as Izzi stakeholders were reportedly divided between backing RMFAC Chairman Elias Mbam or Assembly Speaker Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru. After Mbam eventually won out, Nwifuru supporters rushed to endorse him anyway while other Izzi leaders chastised the supportive statement. Another cause of intraparty strife were rumours that Umahi was personally supporting Nwifuru. This speculation was confirmed on 23 April 2022 when Umahi endorsed Nwifuru while at a funeral. Ucha and other candidates derided Umahi's endorsement of Nwifuru as 'undemocratic imposition' that was characteristic of his "high-handed" party leadership style. In response, an Umahi aide claimed the endorsement was based on the wide support Nwifuru received from stakeholders and that Umahi's would not prevent internal democracy during the primary. On the primary date, two separate factional primaries were held with the grouping backed by Umahi and the state party holding an indirect primary at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium while the faction supported by Mbam held an indirect primary at Mbam's campaign office. After both primaries were peacefully held, the Stadium primary ended in Nwifuru winning by a wide margin while the Mbam factional primary resulted in his victory. Nwifuru was recognized as the legitimate nominee in July by INEC.

Nominated

* Francis Nwifuru: House of Assembly member for Izzi West (2011–present) and Speaker of the House of Assembly (2015–present) **Running mate— Patricia Obila:

Afikpo North Afikpo North is a Local Government Areas of Nigeria, Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Ehugbo, Ehugbo, Afikpo. Important townships include Ehugbo (with Itim Ukwu, Ohaisu, Nkpoghoro, Ugwuegu/Amaizu, O ...

Local Government Vice Chairman

Eliminated in primary

* Elias Mbam: Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (2010–2015; 2019–2022) and former commissioner (1999–2005) * Edward Nkwegu: Chairman of Ebonyi State Extended Special Public Works Programme of the Federal Government, 2019 APC gubernatorial candidate, and 2015 LP gubernatorial nominee (defected after the primary to the LP) * Rosemary Ofoke Nwogbaga *

: member of the National Assembly Service Commission (2020–present), 2015 APC gubernatorial nominee, 2011 ACN gubernatorial nominee, former

for Ebonyi Central (2003–2011), former

House of Assembly House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral parliament. In some countries this may be at a subnational level. Historically, in British Crown colonies as the colony gained more internal responsible governme ...

member, and former Speaker of the

Withdrew

* Nnanna Igwe: medical doctor

Declined

* Augustine Nwankwegu: former state Attorney General (2015–2017), former

member for Izzi West, and former Speaker of the

* Godwin Ogbaga: former acting Secretary to the State Government and former Minister of State for Power and Steel (1998–1999) * Sonni Ogbuoji: former

for Ebonyi South (2011–2019), 2019 APC gubernatorial nominee, former Commissioner for Economic Empowerment and Poverty Reduction (2009–2010), and former Afikpo South Local Government Chairman * Kenneth Ugbala:

Secretary to the State Government The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) is an official in the state governments of Nigeria's 36 states. The individual who holds the office is usually appointed by the State Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a po ...

(2019–2022)

Results

All Progressives Grand Alliance

In early April 2022, state APGA Chairman Ricky Okorouka announced that the state party would not zone its gubernatorial nomination. On 25 March 2022, the national APGA announced its primary schedule, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and the nomination form price at ₦12 million with a 50% discount for women candidates and candidates with disabilities. Forms are to be sold from 29 March to 11 April; after the purchase of forms, gubernatorial candidates are to be screened by a party committee on 22 and 23 April while the screening appeal process is slated for 5 May. Ward congresses are set for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 29 May, in concurrence with all other APGA gubernatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 31 May. On the primary date, former Secretary to the State Government Bernard Odoh was the sole candidate and won the nomination unopposed. In his acceptance speech, Odoh derided the APC and PDP along with pledging to lead APGA to victory.

Nominated

* Bernard Odoh: 2019 APC gubernatorial candidate and former Secretary to the State Government (2015–2018) Running mate— Nkata Chuku

Results

People's Democratic Party

In late September 2021, State PDP Chairman Fred Udeogu announced that the state party had zoned its gubernatorial nomination to the "Abakaliki bloc" (the North and Central Senatorial Districts). On the primary date, the national PDP abruptly cancelled the gubernatorial primary along with all other Ebonyi PDP primaries due to court ruling over state party leadership. Before the national leadership set a new primary date, a party faction led by ousted state chairman Silas Onu held its own election, nominating businessman Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii by a wide margin. The national party and its recognized state chairman, Tochukwu Okorie, rejected the primary and held their own primary on 6 June; it was won by Senator

. However, the next day, a Federal High Court annulled the Okorie factional primary and declared the Odii-won primary as legitimate. The court battle continued afterwards until 14 September when the

ruled in favor of Odii and declared him the legitimate nominee. INEC briefly removed Odii as recognized nominee in December 2022 due to renewed litigation but he was returned to the list of candidates by late January.

Nominated

* Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii: businessman

Eliminated in primary

* Edwin Anayo: House of Representatives member for Ezza North/Ishielu (2015–present) * Emmanuel Ezeh: President of Ebonyi Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture * Austin Igwe-Edeze * Paulinus Igwe Nwagu: former

for Ebonyi Central (2011–2015), former House of Representatives member for Ezza North/Ishielu (2007–2011), and former

Ezza North Ezza North is a local government area in Ebonyi State Nigeria. Its headquarters is at Ebiaji town. It has an area of 305 km and a population of 145,619 at the 2006 census. Ezza North created in 1996 alongside other LGAs in the then new Ebonyi ...

Local Government Chairman (1999–2002) * Fidelis Nwankwo: former Minister of State for Health and former Izzi Local Government Chairman * Augustine Nwazunku: former Secretary of the Ebonyi State Agency for Control of AIDS and brother of opponent Chukwuma Nwazunku * Chukwuma Nwazunku: House of Representatives member for Abakaliki/Izzi (2015–present), former

member, former Speaker of the

, and brother of opponent Augustine Nwazunku * Adaeze Nwuzor: former

Ebonyi Abakaliki is a Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. It's headquarters are in the town of Nkaliki. It has an area of 443 km and a population of 126,837 based on the census conducted i2006. Thehe postal code A postal code (al ...

Local Government Chairman *

for Ebonyi Central (2015–present), former Commissioner for Youths and Sports (2002–2003), and former

Ishielu Ishielu is a Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Ezillo. It has an area of 872 km and a population of 151,048 at the 2006 census. The postal code A postal code (also known locally in var ...

Local Government Chairman **Running mate— Oliver Osi:

member for Ivo * Sylvester Ogbaga: House of Representatives member for Abakaliki/Izzi (2007–present) and former

Abakaliki Abakaliki is the capital city of Ebonyi State in southeastern Nigeria, located southeast of Enugu. The inhabitants are primarily members of the Igbo nation. It was the headquarters of the Ogoja province before the creation of the Southeastern ...

Local Government Chairman * Chris Usulor: House of Assembly member for Ezza South (2011–present) and son of former Ebonyi Central

Vincent Obasi Usulor Vincent Obasi Usulor is a Nigerian politician. He was elected Senator for the Ebonyi Central constituency of Ebonyi State, Nigeria at the start of the Nigerian Fourth Republic, running on the People's Democratic Party (PDP) platform. He took off ...

Declined

* Chukwuma Nwandiugo: former Commissioner for Works and Transport

Results

Minor parties

* Chukwuma Awuregu Nwandugo ( Action Alliance) **Running mate: Cordelia Chiaka Ugboaja * Kenneth Nwabueze Oziomaeze ( Action Democratic Party) **Running mate: Ogochukwu Jonah Okorie * Apollos Ndubisi Okpara (

Action Peoples Party This is list of political parties in Nigeria. The Federal Republic of Nigeria has a multi-party system. The largest by National Assembly seats are the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP). There are also a numbe ...

) **Running mate: Elijah Umoke * Bernard Nyaba Nwonomara (

African Democratic Congress The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a political party in Nigeria. As of 2022, Ralph Nwosu is the National Chairman.There are 2 ADC members currently in the Nigerian National Assembly. They are all members of the House of Representatives and r ...

) **Running mate: Solomon Ogbonna Okoh * Chinenye Judith Igwe ( Allied Peoples Movement) **Running mate: Kingsley Chukwuma Aliede * Edward Nkwegu ( Labour Party) **Running mate: Ajah Nwabueze Igwe * Chris Soni Adol-Awam (

New Nigeria Peoples Party This is list of political parties in Nigeria. The Federal Republic of Nigeria has a multi-party system. The largest by National Assembly seats are the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP). There are also a num ...

) **Running mate: Nkechinyere B. Okochi * Anthony N. Usulor ( National Rescue Movement) **Running mate: Evo Christopher Ogbonnaya * Micheal Ikechukwu Nwankwo (

Social Democratic Party The name Social Democratic Party or Social Democrats has been used by many political parties in various countries around the world. Such parties are most commonly aligned to social democracy as their political ideology. Active parties For ...

) **Running mate: Iheanacho Nwugo * Sunday Andrew Opoke (

Young Progressives Party The Young Progressives Party (YPP) is a social-democratic political party in Nigeria. The party was created to challenge the two major contemporary parties in Nigeria, the People's Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress. In its mani ...

) **Running mate: Sunday Ogbonnaya Okoro

Conduct

Electoral timetable

General election

Results

By senatorial district

The results of the election by senatorial district.

By federal constituency

The results of the election by federal constituency.

By local government area

The results of the election by local government area.

Notes

References

{{Nigerian state and local elections Ebonyi State gubernatorial election

2023 Events Predicted and scheduled events * January 1 ** In the United States, books, films, and other works published in 1927 will enter the public domain, assuming there are no changes made to copyright law. ** Croatia will adopt the eu ...

2023 Ebonyi State elections