Ahead of the March 9, 2019 election, 45 candidates of different political parties in Akwa Ibom State are angling to occupy Hiltop Mansion, Uyo, Straightnews has gathered.
This shows that 46 of the 91 registered political parties in the country failed to purchase governorship forms and perhaps return same.
Straightnews learnt that only All Progressives Congress, APC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state have fielded candidates for all the positions.
Apart, they are the two major political parties that campaigned in the 31 local government areas.
While Governor Udom Emmanuel under the opposition PDP in the state is seeking re-election, Nsima Ekere, the APC governorship candidate is challenging the plum seat under the ruling APC.
This is even as 73 presidential candidates of different political parties in the country to contest the 2019 elections.
In February 2019, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili officially resigned as the presidential candidate of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, but INEC stoutly rejected such on the premise that she failed to resign before 45 days to the elections.
Her name would be included in the INEC’s ballot box for the Saturday’s electionss.
A document obtained from the Bureau of Political/Legislative Affairs and Water Resources, 49 Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo shows that 18 of the 91 registered parties woefully failed to field presidential candidates for the elections.
For Senate, 34 senatorial candidates are vying for Senatorial seats in Akwa Ibom State.
A breakdown shows that Akwa Ibom North East has 13, the largest number of contestants; Akwa Ibom North West has 11 while Akwa Ibom South has fielded 10 candidates.
In the House of Representatives, 95 persons are vying for the seats in 10 Federal constituencies.
The report further showed that Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika has 13; Eket/Onna/Esit Eket/Ibeno- 8; Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium-10; Ikono/Ini-7 and Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo- 9.
Other are Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara- 9; Itu/Ibiono Ibom- 9; Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/UrueOffong/Oruko- 7; Ukanafun/Oruk Anam- 7 and Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo Asutan- 15.
A total of 331 candidates from different parties are aspiring to represent the 26 state constituencies in the next State House of Assembly, if they win the race.
Investigations by Straightnews show that apart from a few governorship candidates featuring in some radio interviews, the rest have fizzled out without enaging in serious political activities.
