*Lawan out, as Shekarau, Akpabio, Umahi make 4,223 NASS list

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has listed 18 presidential candidates of the 18 registered political parties, including Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Gregory Obi (LP), Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC), Rabiu Musa kwankwaso (NNPP), Adewale Adebayo (SDP), Dumebi Kachikwu (ADC) and others, for the epic battle to occupy Aso Presidential Villa in next year’s general election.

Kachikwu was listed in spite of reports that his parry had suspended him in the midst of the crisis rocking the party.

The hope of Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to be listed for Yobe-North may have finally been nailed as his name was conspicouosly missing in the final candidates’ list published by the electoral umpire for National Assembly position in the election. 

Lawan’s opponent, Hon. Machina was also left out of the list, leaving the party without any candidate in the senatorial zone.

INEC however published the names of former APC presidential aspirants, Godswill Akpabio, as the party’s candidate for Akwa Ibom North-West; Gov. Dave Umahi, for Ebonyi South.

The clincher was Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau who was listed as the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for Kano Central, despite his defection from the NNPP to PDP.

INEC noted after its meeting Tuesday in Abuja that it approved the final list of candidates for national elections (Presidential, Senatorial and Federal Constituencies) 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.INEC National Commissioner in-charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye, in a statement at the end of the meeting said that the publication of the full names and addresses of all nominated candidates follows the political parties’ conduct of primaries and completion of the nomination exercise.

“Nigerians may recall that at end of the process, the personal particulars of all nominated candidates were displayed in their constituencies nationwide as provided by section 29(3) of the Electoral Act.“Subsequently, validly nominated candidates had the opportunity to voluntarily withdraw their candidature by notice in writing and personally deliver such notice to the political party that nominated them for the election. Thereafter, political parties substituted such candidates under section 31 of the Electoral Act for which the last day was 15th July 2022 for national elections and 12th August 2022 for State elections as clearly provided in item 6 of the Commission’s Timetable and Schedule of Activities.

“Thereafter, no withdrawal or substitution of candidates is allowed except in the event of death as provided in section 34(1) of the Electoral Act or pursuant to an order of a Court of competent jurisdiction”, he stated.According to him, the list published today 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 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.

“We note the fact that not all the political parties conducted primaries in all the constituencies, submitted the particulars of candidates that emerged from valid primaries or substituted their candidates after fresh primaries within 14 days as provided in section 33 of the Electoral Act.

“This has led to numerous litigations, some of which are ongoing. Where the Commission was served with Court orders by aggrieved aspirants or candidates before the publication of this list, these have been indicated under the remark column.

“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.

“The list for specific constituencies is published in each State where they are located while the comprehensive nationwide list has been uploaded to the Commission’s website.

“We appeal to all political parties to channel any observations on the list of candidates to the Commission and such must be signed by the National Chairman and Secretary of the political party and supported with an affidavit as provided in section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2022”, INEC stated in the statement.