A recent survey conducted by NOI Polls Limited shows a significant lead in the Abia State Governorship race between the top two contenders; candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Alex Otti and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Okezie Ikpeazu, with a twenty-seven percent point gap between the two.
Respondents were asked who they would vote for in the coming governorship elections in Abia State, Otti led the list of candidates with 45 percent, while Ikpeazu had 18 percent, indicating a significant 27 percent lead by Otti. Other candidates such as Chikwe Udensi and Anyim Nyerere had 2 percent and 1 percent respectively. However, 32 percent of those polled are either undecided (19 percent) or sought confidentiality (13 percent) to their choice of candidate; and could be key in deciding a winner.
The survey results also show that Otti appears to have support of voters across all age groups; particularly from first time voters between the ages of 18 to 21 (70 percent). Furthermore, 24 percent of voters in Abia-South and 21 percent in Abia- Central senatorial districts remain undecided as to their choice of candidate.
The survey shows that almost 9 in 10 eligible voters are registered to vote in the February elections, with about 8 in 10 (86 percent) being absolutely certain that they will vote. Similarly, the working class of between 30 to 60 years, as well as senior citizens of age 61+ are absolutely certain they will vote.
