Fifteen governorship candidates are set to challenge Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah’s bid for re-election in the 2027 general elections, following the release of the final list of candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The list features candidates from 16 political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Governor Mbah, who is seeking a second term on the APC platform, will face 15 other contenders in what is expected to be a keenly watched governorship contest in the state.
According to the list obtained by DAILY GAZETTE, Governor Mbah, 54, will be challenged by Chukwuma Ocho Obodoeze, 53, of the ADC; Sam Ayogu, 62, of the Action Democratic Party (ADP); Ken Ikeh, 54, of the Action Peoples Movement (APM); and Afamefuna Samuel Ani, 49, of the Action Peoples Party (APP).
Other candidates on the list are Edwin Ikechukwu Alor, 62, of the Action Alliance (A); Obioma Nnaemeka Nnamani, 43, of the Boot Party (BP); Nnamdi Ugwu, 52, of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA); Okwudilichukwu Chukwudera Ugwu, 59, of the Labour Party; and Chinyeaka Christian Ohaa, 65, of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
The remaining candidates are Jehu Nnaji, 58, of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); Christopher Ndubuisi Okonkwo, 61, of the National Rescue Movement (NRM); Uchechukwu Geoffrey Nnaji, 63, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Friday Iloka, 44, of the Social Democratic Party (SDP); Anthony Ifeanyi Udeani, 52, of the Young Progressives Party (YPP); and Elvis Chinazam Ugwoke, 40, of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The lineup presents voters with a range of political choices, with established parties and smaller political platforms seeking to unseat the incumbent governor.
Mbah’s re-election bid will place his administration’s record, policy direction and campaign promises at the centre of political debate as the contest gathers momentum.
The presence of candidates from 16 parties also sets the stage for a multi-party race in Enugu, although the eventual outcome will depend on the candidates’ campaign strategies, party structures, voter mobilisation and performance at the polls.
