2023 Abia State gubernatorial election
The 2023 Abia State gubernatorial election will take place in early 2023, to elect the Governor of Abia State. Incumbent PDP Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term. The primaries will be scheduled for late 2022 or early 2023.
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Electoral system
The Governor of Abia State is elected using a modified two-round system. 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 local government areas. If no candidate passes this threshold, a second round will be held.
Primary elections
The primaries, along with any potential challenges to primary results, will take place in late 2022 or early 2023. An informal zoning gentlemen's agreement and the formal Abia Charter of Equity sets the Abia North Senatorial District to have the next governor as Abia North has not held the governorship since 2007.[1] Within Abia North, the Ohafia clan of the southern part of Abia North has claimed to be next in line for the governorship as the previous Abia North Governor (Orji Uzor Kalu) was from the northern part of Abia North.[2] However, no major party has yet closed their primaries to either non-Northern or non-Ohafia candidates and some lawmakers claim that the election should be open to all candidates.[3][4][5]
Potential
- Michael Enyinna, 2019 APC Ukwa East/Ukwa West House of Representatives candidate[6]
- Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development and 2019 APC gubernatorial nominee[7]
- Alex Otti, 2015 and 2019 APGA gubernatorial nominee[7]
- Nkechi Nwaogu, former Abia Central Senator
Potential
- Ude Oko Chukwu, Deputy Governor
- Emma Nwaka, former Abia North Senator and former Abia State PDP Chair[8]
- Gregory Ibe, founder and Chancellor of Gregory University[8]
- Chris Odinaka Igwe, Chairman of the Chrisnak Group and Managing Director of Mainland Oil and Gas Limited[8]
References
- Alaribe, Ugochukwu. "2023: Abia North wants Ikpeazu to uphold rotation of gov seat on senatorial zones". Vanguard. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- Oko, Steve. "Abia 2023: Ohafia clan insists on producing governor". Vanguard. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- "2023: Zoning has come to stay in Abia – PDP chieftain". Premium Times. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- Udeajah, Gordi. "Curious Abia State political scenario that may shape 2023". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- Egburonu, Sam. "2023: Fresh rumbles over Abia Charter of Equity". The Nation. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- Muaz, Hassan. "2023 Abia governorship: Professionals tip Lagos-based entrepreneur". The Eagle Online. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- Egburonu, Sam. "Abia 2023: Anxiety in PDP, APGA as APC attracts top politicians". The Nation. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- Emmanuel, Ugwu-Nwogo. "In Abia State, Guber Hopefuls Wait for PDP Compass to Point North". ThisDay. Retrieved 23 November 2021.