Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the final list of candidates for the upcoming 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election
This was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee.
With this publication, all qualified political parties can now formally commence their campaigns in line with the electoral timetable.
The release follows the successful completion of party primaries, as well as the window for candidate substitution and withdrawal.
According to INEC, 16 political parties submitted their candidates’ details using Form EC9 before the deadline of 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has replaced its governorship candidate due to a voluntary withdrawal, while four other parties—Accord (A), African Action Congress (AAC), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—have changed their deputy governorship nominees.
The final list shows some level of gender inclusion, with AAC and the National Rescue Movement (NRM) fielding female governorship candidates. Additionally, six parties—including Accord, APC, APP, BP, LP, and ZLP—have nominated women as deputy candidates.
However, INEC noted that no political party has nominated a person with a disability for this election.
Candidates’ ages range between 36 and 71 years. Their academic qualifications and personal information have been made available on INEC’s website and social media platforms.
INEC emphasized that, barring death, no further withdrawals or substitutions of candidates will be permitted, as stated in Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
In line with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act, political campaigns are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, and will end by midnight on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
The Commission also reminded political parties and candidates that hate speech, violence, destruction of campaign materials, and denial of access to public spaces are prohibited under Sections 92, 93, and 95 of the Electoral Act.
The Anambra State Governorship Election is set to take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
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