No fewer than seven candidates  drawn from various political parties would slug it out on Saturday, June 20, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducts the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election.

According to the final list released by  INEC, Chika Idoko Emmanuel would fly the  flag of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Asogwa Ikeje Israel for the All Progressives Congress (APC); Aneke Kingsley Chukwuebuka for the Booth Party (BP); Eze Ejike Simon for the Labour Party (LP); Ossai Elias Okwudili for the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Ezeme Nestor Chika of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), and Ugwuanyi Charles Ugochukwu for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

The winner of the election would serve out the tenure of the former occupant to the seat, Okey Ezea, who died and was buried some months ago. Ezea had won the election for the seat during the 2023 elections on the banner of the Labour Party.

INEC had earlier excluded  several parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Labour Party (LP), a development  that sparked controversy and generated legal and political reactions across the senatorial district.

The Labour Party had approached the court to challenge the omission of its candidate from the by-election.

However, following the eventual inclusion of its candidate in the revised list released by INEC few days ago, the party was reported to have withdrawn the suit.

The revised list effectively opens the race to four additional parties that were absent from the commission’s earlier publication.

The election is scheduled to hold on across the six local government areas that make up Enugu North Senatorial District.

The district comprises Nsukka, Igbo-Eze North, Igbo-Eze South, Udenu, Uzo-Uwani and Igbo Etiti local government areas.

A breakdown of the candidates shows that Eze Ejike Simon of the Labour Party is the oldest contender at 67 years, while Ossai Elias Okwudili of the NDC is 66 years old.

The youngest candidate in the race is Aneke Kingsley Chukwuebuka of the Boot Party, aged 39, followed by Chika Idoko Emmanuel of the ADC, who is 41.

Other candidates include Asogwa Ikeje Israel of the APC, aged 56; Ezeme Nestor Chika of the PDP, aged 55; and Ugwuanyi Charles Ugochukwu of the PRP, also 55.

INEC’s final notice further indicates that all seven candidates are male.

Meanwhile to ensure a smooth conduct of the by-election, Enugu state government on Friday restricted human and vehicular movements from 12:00 am (midnight) to 6:00 pm across the six Local Government Areas and 102 electoral wards that make up the Enugu North Senatorial District.

It stated that only INEC officials, security personnel, accredited election observers, media practitioners, and other persons duly authorised for election duties would be exempt from the restriction.

A statement by the Secretary to the State government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, encouraged residents of the district  to exercise their civic responsibility peacefully and in accordance with electoral guidelines.

He also urged Political parties, candidates, and their supporters to remain law-abiding during and after the exercise.

The statement directed Security agencies to ensure strict compliance with this directive, while he wished the people and residents a peaceful and successful election.