The coast is clear for 18 presidential candidates to contest in next year’s election.
Eminent politician Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (All Progressives Congress), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (Peoples Democratic Party), Peter Obi (Labour Party), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso (New Nigeria Peoples Party) and Adebayo Adewole (Social Democratic Party) were among standard bearers cleared yesterday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The publication of their names by the commission meant that the flagbearers were considered validly nominated by their respective political parties.
Also cleared for the senatorial poll were 1,008 candidates, including Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi (Ebonyi South), former Niger Delta Affairs Minister Senator Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom Northwest), Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu (PDP, Abia South.
However, Senate President Ahmed Lawan’s name was omitted as candidate for Yobe North District. His rival in the race for the ticket, Basir Machina, was not listed.
Also, in Edo State, INEC upheld the list of candidates submitted by the Dan Orbih faction of the PDP.
The electoral agency stated that political parties were free to make their observations on the list, adding that the observations, which should be signed by their national chairmen and secretaries, must be supported by affidavits.
Other prominent candidates on the list include Senator Sam Egwu (PDP, Ebonyi North), Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North), Mao Ohuabunwa (PDP, Abia North), Augustine Akobundu (PDP, Abia Central), Murtala Nyako (APC, Adamawa Central), Ismaila Adamu (APC, Adamawa South), Aminu Abbang (PDP, Adamawa Central), Amos Yohanna (PDP, Abia North), Dauda Yaroe (PDP, Adamawa South) and Bassey Aniekan (PDP, Akwa Ibom Northeast).
Others are Stella Oduah (PDP, Anambra North), Uche Ekwunife (PDP, Abia Central), Christian Ubah (PDP, Abia South), Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), Konbowei Benson (PDP, Bayelsa Central) and Benson Agadaga (PDP, Bayelsa East).
Other candidates include Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), Senator Biodun Olujimi (PDP, Ekiti South), Funso Ayeni (PDP, Ekiti North), Olusegun Fasuyi (APC, Ekiti North), Nnamani Chimaroke (PDP, Enugu East), Onyeagocha Uche (PDP Imo East), Kabiru Gaya (APC, Katsina Central), Atiku Bagudu (APC, Kebbi Central) and Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West).
A statement by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said: “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.
Culled from:The Nation Newspaper
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