Abia State is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The state is bordered to the northwest by Anambra State and to the northeast by the states of Enugu and Ebonyi, Imo State to the west, Cross River State to the east, Akwa Ibom State to the southeast, and Rivers State to the south. Abia is the only Southeastern state that has boundaries with the other four Southeastern states in Nigeria. It takes its name from the acronym for four of the state's most populated regions: Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato, and Afikpo. The state capital is Umuahia while the largest city and commercial centre is Aba.
The governor of Abia State is the head of government of Abia State in Nigeria. The governor is the head of the executive branch of the Abia State Government. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Abia State House of Assembly, to convene the legislature and grant pardons.
Theodore Ahamefule Orji is a Nigerian politician who served as the senator representing Abia Central senatorial district from 2015 to 2023. He previously served as the governor of Abia State from 2007 to 2015. He was formerly a career civil servant, and served as the chief of staff to Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu.
Eric Iheanacho "Acho" Nwakanma is a Nigerian politician, businessman and philanthropist who served twice as the deputy governor of Abia State from 2006 to 2007 and from 2010 to 2011.
Okezie Victor Ikpeazu is a Nigerian politician and former Governor of Abia State, who was in office from 29 May 2015 to 29 May 2023. He was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. He was re-elected as the Governor of Abia state at the 9 March 2019 gubernatorial election. He ran for election at the 2023 Senatorial election for Abia South Senatorial District but came a distant third behind incumbent Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of All Progressive Grand Alliance and a political newbie Chinedu Onyeizu of the Labour Party.
The government of Abia State is the supreme governing authority of Abia State and its local governments. It consists of the executive headed by the governor, the legislative and the judiciary.
Abia State has a multi-party political system. The politics of Abia State is governed within the framework of a presidential republic with the Governor of Abia State serving jointly as the head-of-state and head of government. The Governor exercises the executive power vested on him or her directly, although the constitution also authorizes the Deputy Governor and Commissioners to carry out such exercises. Legislative power rests on the shoulders of a 24-member unicameral House of Assembly while the judicial power is exercised directly by the Judiciary of Abia State. Power in Abia State is divided into three branches: executive, legislative and judiciary, similarly to the United States.
Eme Okoro is a Nigerian politician of the People's Democratic Party who currently serves as the Secretary to the State Government in Abia State after he was appointed by Okezie Ikpeazu on 3 June 2015 succeeding Mkpa Agu Mkpa.
Chijioke Nwakodo was a Nigerian politician and businessman. He served as the 3rd Abia state chief of staff from 3 June 2015 until his death in August 2017.
Theresa Uzoamaka Uzokwe is a Nigerian legal practitioner and former Adult Film Actor. She is the current Chief Judge of Abia State after she was appointed on 22 December 2014 by Theodore Orji. Prior to her appointment, she had served twice in the position as acting Chief Judge.
Nkechi Caroline Ikpeazu was the First Lady of Abia State from 29 May 2015 to 29 May 2023, as wife of the former Governor of Abia State located in the southeast of Nigeria. She is also the Founder and President of Vicar Hope Foundation, a non-profit organisation that has Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council(ECOSOC)
The Lagos State Executive Council is the highest formal governmental body that plays important roles in the Government of Lagos State headed by the Governor of Lagos State. It consists of the Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Commissioners who preside over ministerial departments, and the Governor's special aides.
The 7th Abia State House of Assembly was Inaugurated on Monday 10 June 2019 after a Proclamation by the Abia State Governor Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu. Formed after the Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections of Saturday 9 March 2019 and inaugurated on Monday 10 June 2019, the Representatives of the Assembly were elected from 24 constituencies with the majority being members of the People's Democratic Party. The elected Speaker is Chinedum Orji representing Umuahia Central State Constituency.
The 2019 Abia State gubernatorial election occurred on March 9, 2019. Incumbent PDP Governor Okezie Ikpeazu won re-election for a second term, defeating APC's Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, and several minor party candidates. The major contenders for the race signed a peace accord agreement in January 2019.
The 2023 Abia State gubernatorial election took place on 18 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Abia State, concurrent with elections to the Abia State House of Assembly as well as twenty-seven other gubernatorial elections and elections to all other state houses of assembly. The election—which was postponed from its original 11 March date—will be held three weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections. Incumbent PDP governor Okezie Ikpeazu was term-limited and could not seek a third term. Alex Otti, a banker, gained the office for the Labour Party by a margin of victory over first runner-up and PDP nominee—Okey Ahiwe, the former Chief of Staff to Ikpeazu.
In the Federal Republic of Nigeria, state executive councils are the highest formal governmental body in state governments headed by governors.
The 2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Abia State will be held on 25 February 2023, to elect the 3 federal Senators from Abia State, one from each of the state's three senatorial districts. The elections will coincide with the 2023 presidential election, as well as other elections to the Senate, and elections to the House of Representatives; with state elections being held two weeks later. Primaries were held between 4 April and 9 June 2022.
The 2023 Abia State House of Assembly election was take place on 18 March 2023, to elect members of the Abia State House of Assembly. The election was held concurrent with the state gubernatorial election as well as twenty-seven other gubernatorial elections and elections to all other state houses of assembly. It was held three weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections.
Kelechi Onuzuruike is a Nigerian politician. He is the Former Deputy Chief Whip of the Abia State House of Assembly. He formerly represented Umuahia North state constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly.
Sam Ifeanyi Hart is a Nigerian lawyer and development specialist with expertise in administrative management, policy formulation, and leadership training. He has worked in both government and private sectors. He has had a stint in the media where he worked as Group Editor at African Leadership Magazine and as Chief Press Secretary to Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State.
