Ahead of the elections in 2023, Document Women is spotlighting the women running for political offices across the country.

The final list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission last month lists 3,875 men and 381 women as those running for president and seats in the federal parliament, respectively.

For Anambra State, these are the six women running for senatorial positions in Anambra Central and Anambra North senatorial districts.

Uche Lilian Ekwunife

Uche Lilian Ekwunife is a Nigerian politician and senator currently representing Anambra Central. She is running again in 2023 for the chance to represent Anambra Central senatorial district under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Ms Ekwunife earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business and Accounting from the University of Calabar in 1993. In 2002, she obtained an MBA from Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

She is regarded as one of the active female senators in Nigeria and was the third runner-up during the June 2021 governorship primary election, which Valentine Ozigbo won.

In 2015, she was elected to the senate making her one of six women elected then, and in 2019, she won the Anambra State senatorial elections under PDP and was elected as a senator for Anambra Central senatorial district.

Olieh Ndidi Christiana

Olieh Ndidi Christiana is running for the position of senator under the National Rescue Movement party (NRM). She aims to represent Anambra North senatorial district.

Ebelechukwu Obiano

Ebelechukwu Obiano is a Nigerian politician and Former First Lady of Anambra State.

She is running for the position of senator for the Anambra North senatorial district under the All Progressives Grand Alliance Party (APGA).

Ms Obiano has a Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos. She earned her Bachelors’ degree in History and International Studies from Lagos State University (LASU). She also has an Associate Degree in Real Estate from Lone Star College, USA.

Between 1991 and May 2010, Ms Obiano worked in National Petroleum Investment and Management Services as the Welfare Officer. One of her projects as the former First Lady of Anambra was an NGO called CAFE(Caring Family Enhancement Initiative).

Established in 2014, CAFE aims at women and children empowerment, particularly the empowerment of widows in Anambra state.

A UN Peace Ambassador, Ms Obiano is a recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. Some of them are the Excellence Award given in 2016 by the Nigerian Women of Atlanta and the Primetime Reporters First Lady of the Year Award.

Anazonwu Ifeyinwa

Anazonwu Ifeyinwa is a Nigerian politician. She is running for the position of senator under the All Progressives Congress party (APC). She aims to represent Anambra North senatorial district.

Uzoamaka Peace Obimunonso

Uzoamaka Peace Obimunonso is a Nigerian politician. She is running for the position of senator under the African Democratic Congress.

Ms Obimunonso aims to represent Anambra North senatorial district. According to The Sun News Online, her decision to run has been backed by the youth of Anambra North.