The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates for the upcoming Anambra State Governorship Election scheduled for November 8, 2025.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in a statement issued on Wednesday, also announced that political campaigns will officially commence on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
INEC noted that it had previously published the personal particulars of candidates who emerged from the primaries conducted by political parties.
A total of sixteen political parties submitted the personal details of their candidates (Form EC9) by the official deadline of 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025.
According to Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2022, political parties are permitted to substitute candidates who voluntarily withdraw from the race.
In line with this provision, INEC confirmed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) conducted a fresh primary to replace its withdrawn governorship candidate. Additionally, four political parties—Accord (A), African Action Congress (AAC), Labour Party (LP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—substituted their deputy governorship candidates.
The deadline for candidate withdrawal and substitution was Monday, June 2, 2025.
“Consequently, the Commission hereby publishes the final list of candidates contesting the 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election,” the statement read.
Out of Nigeria’s 19 registered political parties, 16 will participate in the election. Among them, AAC and the National Rescue Movement (NRM) have nominated female candidates, while six parties are fielding female deputy governorship candidates.
These include: Accord (A) All Progressives Congress (APC),Action Peoples Party (APP),Boot Party (BP),Labour Party (LP),Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
However, no party has nominated a candidate with a disability. The ages of the candidates range between 36 and 71 years.
With the final list now published, INEC emphasized that no further withdrawals or substitutions will be permitted, except in the event of death of a candidate or running mate, as stipulated in Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act.
In accordance with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, political parties are now free to commence public electioneering campaigns from Wednesday, June 11, 2025, with all campaigns to end by midnight on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
Olumekun also reminded political parties, candidates, and their supporters of their legal responsibilities under Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act, warning against the use of abusive language, physical violence, or destruction of opponents’ campaign materials during rallies and meetings.
INEC further declared that all parties and candidates must be granted equal access to public facilities for media campaigns, outdoor advertising, rallies, and meetings. The Commission cited Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act, which prohibits the use of incumbency to provide unfair advantage or disadvantage to any political party or candidate.
