Anambra State has had a total of 21 governors since its creation in 1976, however, two have been declared illegitimate by the judiciary
The state is populated by 5,527,809 inhabitants, out of which 2,525,471 are eligible to vote in today’s election
By Kehinde Okeowo
As the citizens of Anambra State go to the polls to elect a new governor to stir the ship of the state for another four years, here are the things to know.
Anambra state is in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria and it’s one of the five states in that region, the others are Abia, Imo, Enugu, and Ebonyi.
It is populated by 5,527,809 people according to the Bureau of statistics and out of this, a total of 2,525,471 are eligible to vote in today’s election.
Also Read: Anambra: The facts, figures as voters decide governor
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will deploy the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) device in today’s governorship election.
The BVAS replaces the Smart Card Reader (SCR) used in previous elections since 2015. BVAS was deployed in the Isoko South I State Constituency Bye-election in Delta State on 11th September 2021
Since the Senate has given the INEC the power to transmit election results electronically, today’s governorship election is expected to follow the trend.
The election umpire has cleared 18 parties for the poll, and they are represented by Maduka Godwin (A), Etiaba Chukwuogo (AA), Nwankwo Chidozie (AAC), Akachukwu Nwankpo (ADC), Ume-Ezeoke Douglas, (ADP), Andy Uba (APC), and Charles Soludo (APGA).
Others are Onyejegbu Okwudili (APM), Azubuike Echetebu (APP), Chika Okeke (BP), Agbasimalo Emmanuel (LP), Ohajimkpo Emeka (NNPP), Ezenwafor Victor (NRM), Valentine Ozigbo (PDP), Nnamdi Nwawuo (PRP), Uzoh Godwin (SDP), Ifeanyi Ubah (YPP) and Okonkwo Francis (ZLP).
Most poll watchers and pundits have, however, narrowed the contest to the candidates of APC, Andy Uba, APGA, Charles Soludo and PDP, Valentine Ozigbo, with YPP, Ifeanyi Ubah, capable of an upset.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, the state has been ruled by two political parties, the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Twenty-one (21) governors have ruled the state since it was created on February 3, 1976, these governors were both civilian and military, two of them, Chris Ngige and Andy Uba are how deemed illegitimate.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, there have been 4 legally elected governors and they are Chinwoke Mbadinuju (PDP) who was in charge from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2003, and Peter Obi (APGA) who governed between 17 March 17, 2006, to March 17, 2014.
Others are Virginia Etiaba (APGA) who filled the gap from November 3, 2006, to February 9, 2007, and the incumbent, Willie Obiano (APGA) who has been in the saddle from March 17, 2014, till date.
Peter Obi, was impeached by the state legislature for alleged gross misconduct. He transferred powers to his then deputy, Virginia Etiaba, who relinquished power three months later when a court nullified Obi’s impeachment.
Chris Ngige, who governed the state from May 29, 2003, to March 17, 2006, was removed by the Supreme Court after Peter Obi was declared the winner.
Emmanuel Nnamdi Uba (Andy Uba) was also elected and sworn in as the governor of Anambra State on May 27, 2007. He was removed by a supreme court decision on June 14, 2007. He governed the State for 14 days.
