2023: 10 Ebonyi governorship hopefuls for Governor Umahi's seat

 

Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State.



Ahead of the 2023 General Elections, politicking in Ebonyi State has begun in earnest as prominent politicians interested in taking over the mantle of leadership from the incumbent Governor David Umahi are already strategizing towards achieving their political goals. 

These governorship hopefuls belong to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP). Below are the Names of Top 10 Contenders Aspiring to Succeed Governor Umahi.

1. Dr. Kenneth Ugbala (APC)

Ugbala is currently the Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government (SSG). He hails from Ezza South Local Government Council. He Academican turned Politician is a Former Lecturer at the Department of Public Administration, Ebonyi State University. Ugbala served as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Internal Security to Governor Umahi between 2015 and 2019. He was appointed as SSG on the 18th of June, 2019.

2. Senator Sonny Ogbuoji (APC)

Ogbuoji, 66 was the 2019 APC Governorship Candidate. The Afikpo-born Politician was the Chairman of Afikpo South Local Government Area during the Military Regime, shortly before the start of the Fourth Republic. He served as Commissioner for Economic Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation during the Martins Elechi-led Administration. Ogbouji later represented Ebonyi South Senatorial District in the Senate between 2011 and 2019. 

3. Hon. Edwin Anayo (PDP)

Popularly known as Anatex, the 44years-old Politician began his political career as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Bayelsa State Government on Non-indigene Affairs. Anayo is currently a Second-term Lawmaker representing Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

4. Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga (PDP)

Ogbaga, 59 was the Chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Area between 1999 and 2002, he simultaneously served as Chairman of ALGON, Ebonyi State Chapter. The Fourth-term Lawmaker is the Member representing Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

5. Senator Obinna Ogba (PDP)

Ogba, 59 is a Second-term Senator representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate. The Ishielu-born Politician is also a Former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in the State who served under the Sam Egwu-led Administration.


6. Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru (APC)

Nwifuru, 45 is a Second-term Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, The Third-term Lawmaker currently represents Izzi West State Constituency in the House. He was a One-time Ex-officio Member of the Ebonyi State Chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). 

7. Professor Bernard Odoh (APC)

Odoh, 45 is the immediate past Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government (SSG). The Academician turned Politician was formerly a Professor of Geophysics at the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Akwa. Odoh was the 2015 APC Senatorial Candidate in Ebonyi Central as well as a 2019 Governorship Hopeful.

8. Senator Julius Ucha (APC)

Ucha, 62 is a Lawyer and Politician who was the Pioneer Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly (1999 - 2003). The Ezzagu, Ishielu-born Politician represented Ebonyi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly from 2003 to 2011. Ucha currently represents South-East in the National Assembly Service Commission. He is a Third-term Governorship Aspirant having contested in 2011 and 2015.

9. Architect Edward Nkwegu (APC)

Nkwegu, 46 was the 2015 Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party. He hails from Izzi Local Area of Ebonyi State. The trained Architect and Businessman is the Largest Private Employer of Labour in the State. The Abuja-based Nkwegu is a Son-in-law to Former Governor Martins Elechi. 

10. Hon. Chris Usolor (PDP)

Usolor is popularly known as Afia Oma, He is the Son of the Late Senator Obasi Usolor who represented Ebonyi Central in the National Assembly between 1999 and 2003. Usolor is a Third-term Lawmaker representing Ezza South State Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly. He currently chairs the House Committee on Education.


As we look towards your opinion to know who among these top 10 contenders or any other politician is your choice as the next governor of Ebonyi, it is believed that, the Godsent for the apex seat in the state would definitely emerge.