Ahead of the February 18, 2023 date for the conduct of the presidential election in Nigeria, some politicians have already openly declared interest in succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari.
The nation’s political space is still expected to witness more declarations in the coming days even as political parties also put structures and strategies in place.
One other item that has remained recurring in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election is the call for zoning. Those in support of zoning want a 2023 southern presidency while some northerners who are against zoning say competency should prevail arguing that zoning is not a constitutional issue.
Bibian Anekwe News reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday, February 18, 2023 for the conduct of the next presidential election in Nigeria.
While some others individuals are still expected to declare their intention in the coming days, Naija News examines (in no particular order) the list of those who have already openly declared their presidential ambition so far with exactly 365 days to the polls.
1. Bola Tinubu (APC)
2023 Presidency: Tinubu Makes New Appointment
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu is one of the earliest persons to officially declare their interest in occupying the Nation’s number one political seat.
In declaring his intention, Tinubu during his visit to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja where he informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention, said there is nothing wrong in a kingmaker becoming the king himself.
2. Rochas Okorocha (APC)
Rochas Okorocha Officially Joins 2023 Presidential Race
Rochas Okorocha
Former Imo State Governor and incumbent Imo West Senator, Rochas Okorocha is one of the chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with their sight on the 2023 presidency.
Okorocha is not a stranger to the presidential contest having ran for the same position on three different occasions previously.
This online platform reports that the 2023 contest will be the fourth shot by Okorocha at the presidency.
3. Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi
Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi
Okunnu-Lamidi is a 38-year-old media and advertising professional from Lagos State who has indicated an interest in the 2023 presidency. She is arguably the first woman to openly declare interest in the nation’s top political job against 2023.
She is the daughter of former Federal Commissioner of Works and Housing, Lateef Femi Okunnu (SAN) and married to Adeshola Lamidi.
It is not clear on which platform (political party) she intends to actualize her dreams.
4. Yahaya Bello (APC)
Why Kogi Remains Safest State In Nigeria – Yahaya Bello
Governor Yahaya Bello
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello is one of the northern aspirants interested in occupying the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in 2023.
The politician who has not hidden his interest met behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday 15th February.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Bello said he came to inform the President of his intention to join the 2023 presidential race.
The Kogi governor said he has the required qualities to succeed President Buhari in 2023, stressing the need for a young, vibrant, experienced, energetic leader to become the next leader of the country.
5. Aminu Tambuwal (PDP)
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Governor Aminu Tambuwal
Tambuwal is the current Governor of Sokoto State and chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ forum.
Tambuwal who recently disclosed his intention to contest the presidential seat after a stakeholders’ meeting in Sokoto State would be seeking to clinch the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The PDP chieftain while speaking at the declaration said he is prepared and ready to fix the challenges rocking the progress of the country.
6. David Umahi (APC)
David Umahi
The Ebonyi State Governor is another sitting Governor who has expressed interest in becoming Nigeria’s President in 2023.
Umahi who recently defected from the PDP to the APC has also informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his ambition. He also argued that his chances of clinching the APC ticket are not threatened by the fact that he recently joined the ruling party and has to contend with other party big wigs.
7. Chukwuka Monye
Chukwuka Monye
Mr. Monye is a businessman and 2023 presidential aspirant from Delta State. He has chosen the slogan “our future is now” but is yet to declare the party platform he intends to use to realize his dreams.
8. Dele Momodu (PDP)
2023: Dele Momodu Meets PDP Chairman, Declares Presidential Ambition
Dele Momodu
Dele Momodu is a media mogul and publisher of Ovation magazine. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain who officially returned to the party in October 2021, made his intention known in January 2022 while speaking to reporters after a meeting with the opposition party chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, in Abuja.
The former presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2011 election said he met with the Ayu to present him with a letter of interest to join the presidential race.
9. Sam Ohuabunwa (PDP)
Sam Ohuabunwa
Mazi Samuel Iheanyichukwu Ohuabunwa is a Nigerian pharmacist, politician, and business tycoon.
He is a former president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.
The 71-year-old seeks to clinch the PDP ticket.
10. Anyim Pius Anyim (PDP)
It’ll Be Unfair Not To Zone 2023 Presidency To South East – Annyim
Anyim Pius Anyim
Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim after initially distancing himself from the 2023 presidential race has made a u-turn and officially joined the race.
He intends to run on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
11. Kingsley Moghalu (ADC)
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Kingsley Moghalu
The presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party in the 2019 general elections, Kingsley Moghalu, on Friday officially announced his presidential ambition.
The former Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor in a post on his Twitter account noted that he is not waiting for any fake call before he declares his intention to contest in the 2023 presidential election.
Moghalu further stated that he is running on a vision and not on ethnic identity politics, adding that he is capable like any other candidate contesting in the race.
12. Sani Yerima (APC)
Sani Yerima
Former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Sani Yerima is seeking election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He recently declared that zoning cannot stop his aspiration to become the next President of the country in 2023, arguing that zoning is not recognized by the country’s constitution and should be rejected by everyone.
13. Nonye Josephine Ezeanyaeche
102-Year-Old Woman Declares Interest In 2023 Presidential Race (Video)
Mrs. Nonye Josephine Ezeanyaeche
A 102-year-old woman identified as Mrs. Nonye Josephine Ezeanyaeche has recently declared her intention to join the 2023 presidential race in Nigeria.
Ezeanyaeche said if the younger generation is not ready to take up the challenge of leading the nation, then she will throw her hat into the ring.
Bibian Anekwe News reports she made her intention known during a recent visit to the management team of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Abuja where she was received by the NTA Director-General, Yakubu Ibn Mohammed.
Her declaration is however believed in many quarters to be a satirical declaration.
14. Doyin Okupe (PDP)
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Doyin Okupe
Former presidential media aide, Doyin Okupe declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He however vowed to step down voluntarily if the party’s ticket is zoned to the south east.
15. Orji Uzor Kalu (APC)
2023 Presidency: Uzor Kalu Reveals Why He Wants To Be The Next President Of Nigeria
Orji Uzor Kalu
Former Abia State Governor and current Senate Chief Whip is another 2023 presidential aspirant hoping to clinch the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Meanwhile, Bibian Anekwe News reports that some other prominent politicians yet to officially declare their 2023 presidential ambition but expected to do so in the coming days include Dr. Bukola Saraki, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Gov Bala Mohammed and Rotimi Amaechi.
