The list of candidates for state elections (Governorship and Houses of Assembly) has been released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2023 polls.

Naija News reports the list was released ahead of the March 11, 2023 date for the conduct of state elections as part of the 2023 general elections.

It was observed that 18 political parties fielded 837 candidates and their running mates for the 28 Governorship elections.

Similarly, 10,231 candidates will slug it out for 993 State Assembly seats.

The INEC statement reads: “In summary, the 18 political parties have fielded 837 candidates and their running mates for the 28 Governorship elections that fall due in 2023. For State Assembly elections, 10,231 candidates are vying for 993 State Assembly seats.”

However, this platform observed that INEC didn’t publish any candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Ogun State.

Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not have any candidates in Akwa Ibom State according to the list published by INEC.

The Ogun PDP Story

Two factions are laying claim to the PDP governorship ticket in Ogun State after both conducted parallel primaries.

Ladi Adebutu and Segun Sowunmi emerged as candidates from each of the governorship primaries.

However, a federal high court sitting in Abeokuta and presided over by Justice O.O Oguntoyinbo nullified the entire PDP primaries and ordered a fresh rerun within 14 days.

INEC also identified court order as its reason for leaving out Ogun PDP in its released list.

Akwa Ibom State APC

INEC also failed to list any governorship candidate for the APC in Akwa Ibom State.

The party had chosen Akan Udofia as its candidate at a primary conducted on May 27 but the electoral umpire said its officials didn’t monitor that primary.

No reason was stated in the list released by INEC.

See the full list of candidates for the governorship and state assembly elections published by INEC here.