…As INEC Unveils Final Candidates
By Jude Atupulazi
The race for Anambra State Government House will officially kick off on Wednesday 11 June. This was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), last Wednesday, while also releasing the final list of candidates for the upcoming Anambra State Governorship Election scheduled for November 8 this year.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the Commission announced that political campaigns would 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 6pm 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with this provision, INEC confirmed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) conducted a fresh primary to replace its withdrawn Governorship Candidate.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 People’s Party (NNPP); substituted their Deputy Governorship Candidates.
The deadline for candidate withdrawal and substitution was Monday, June 2, 2025.
The INEC statement read, ‘Consequently, the Commission hereby publishes the final list of candidates contesting the 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election.’
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 parties are:
Accord (A); All Progressives Congress (APC); Action People’s Party (APP); Boot Party (BP); Labour Party (LP); and 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 would 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 of 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.
In Anambra State, the party in power, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, is fielding Prof Chukwuma Soludo, who is seeking a second term in office. He will be challenged by the candidates of All Progressives Congress, APC; Labour Party, LP; African Democratic Congress, ADC; Young Progressives Party, YPP; and Action Alliance, AA, which are the leading parties in the state ahead of the November 8 poll.
