Five women are among 43 candidates listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest the three senatorial seats in Delta on January 16, 2027.
The female candidates are spread across the three senatorial districts, with two contesting in Delta Central, two in Delta North and one in Delta South.
The candidates are on INEC’s final list for the presidential and National Assembly elections.
Rose Oriaran-Anthony, INEC secretary, signed the list as the commission’s official document for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The two female candidates among 16 candidates listed by INEC for Delta Central are Onome Dema of the Labour Party and Amanda Omoraka of the Young Progressives Party.
Also in Delta Central, Luckie Umukoro of Accord, Peter Onakpoma of Action Alliance and Kuvie Oyibo of Action Democratic Party are male candidates on the list. Others are Peter Obukohwo of the Action Peoples Party, Kelvin Omogaga of the African Action Congress and Benjamin Ewhrudiakpor of the African Democratic Congress.
The list also has Ede Dafinone of the All Progressives Congress, Monday Nurhierume of the Allied Peoples Movement and Nathan Osume of the New Democrats Party.
The list also includes Augustine Onori of the National Rescue Movement, Ovie Omo-Agege of the National Democratic Congress, and Arhagba Ighogbedjere of the Peoples Democratic Party.
INEC also listed Godwin Ikuru of the Social Democratic Party and Oghenebrorhie Obenobe of the Zenith Labour Party.
In Delta North, Vivian Nwabuokei of Accord and Maryann Oluebube Nwankwo of the Allied Peoples Movement were the two female candidates among 14 contestants. Other candidates include Victor Ojie of the Action Peoples Party, Celestine Jebosa of the African Action Congress and Valentine Ogoliegbune of the African Democratic Congress.
The district also has the former governor of the state, Ifeanyi Okowa of the All Progressives Congress, Augustine Ojogbo of the Democratic Labour Alliance and Rex Biose of the Labour Party.
John Ndidi of the National Rescue Movement, Victor Ochei of the National Democratic Congress and Onyeama Ogannah of the Peoples Democratic Party are also listed.
Bob Ofunne of the Peoples Redemption Party, Victor Onyebuchi of the Social Democratic Party and Emmanuel Okoh of the Zenith Labour Party complete Delta North’s candidates.
In Delta South, Esther Avwivoerjore of the Zenith Labour Party is the only female candidate among the 13 candidates INEC listed. Other contestants include Jim Ameh of Accord, Felix Odharо of Action Alliance, Emmanuel Ogba of Action Democratic Party and Felix Avuwa of the Action Peoples Party.
Thomas Joel-Onowakpo of the All Progressives Congress, Patrick Upama of the Allied Peoples Movement and Peter Ubreye Asability of the Democratic Labour Alliance are also contesting.
Elo Adhekpukoli of the National Rescue Movement, Freedom Adowei of the National Democratic Congress and Kingley Otuaro of the Peoples Democratic Party are on the list.
Oghenetega Morrison of the Social Democratic Party and Mike Ubebe of the Young Progressives Party complete the 13-candidate list for Delta South.
The 43 senatorial candidates comprised 16 in Delta Central, 14 in Delta North and 13 in Delta South.
The emergence of five female candidates meant women will be represented in the senatorial contests across all three districts when Delta voters go to the polls in 2027.
(NAN)