The race for the Enugu State Government House is set to be a crowded contest, with 15 candidates cleared to vie for the governorship position in the 2027 election.
The list of candidates was displayed at the Enugu State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, containing the credentials of those seeking to lead the state.
The incumbent Governor, Peter Mbah, is seeking another term under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Among those challenging him are Chief Uchenna Nnaji of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Chief Chinyeaka Ohaa of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC; and Chief Obodoeze Ocho of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Other candidates on the list include Edwin Alor of Accord; Professor Jehu Nnaji of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP; Okwudilichukwu Ugwu of the Labour Party, LP; and Nnamdi Ugwu of the Democratic Leadership Alliance, DLA.
The remaining candidates are Anthony Udeani of the Young Progressives Party, YPP; Afamefuna Ani of the Action Peoples Party, APP; Elvis Ugwoke of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP; Friday Iloka of the Social Democratic Party, SDP; Nnamdi Omeje of the Action Democratic Party, ADP; Ken Ikeh of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM; and Chief Obioma Nnamani of the Because Of Our Tomorrow, BOOT, Party.
With the publication of the list, political activities are expected to intensify across the state as the candidates begin to mobilise supporters and engage stakeholders ahead of the election.
Governor Mbah is expected to campaign on the achievements and projects of his administration, alongside its social intervention programmes, as he seeks to retain his seat.
The emergence of 15 candidates has widened the field and is expected to make the Enugu governorship contest one of the closely watched political races in the South-East.
The candidates will now be seeking to convince voters across the state as preparations for the 2027 governorship election gather momentum.
