Anambra 2025: INEC releases final list of governorship candidates as election draws closer

As the countdown to the Anambra State governorship election on November 8, 2025, begins in earnest, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially unveiled the final list of candidates set to contest for the state’s highest political office.

The announcement was made during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday by Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.

According to Olumekun, 16 of Nigeria’s 19 registered political parties will be participating in the election, having successfully nominated their candidates. In a notable step toward gender inclusion, the African Action Congress (AAC) and the National Rescue Movement (NRM) have fielded female candidates for the governorship race—a progressive move in a political arena traditionally dominated by men.

He listed those with female running mates as Accord (A), All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), Labour Party (LP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

With the development, incumbent Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Prince Ukachukwu of the APC, George Moghalu of Labour Party and 13 others have been cleared for the poll.

Olumekun said no political party had nominated a person with a disability as a candidate and that the candidates’ age range was between 36 and 71.

The INEC chief spokesperson said the full list of the candidates by party, age, gender and academic qualifications had been uploaded to the INEC website and social media platforms for public information.

He stated that ADC conducted a fresh primary election to replace its candidate, while four political parties – Accord, AAC, LP, and NNPP – replaced their deputy governorship candidates. He added that the deadline for withdrawing and substituting candidates was Monday.

Olumekun further explained that with the publication of the final list, no further withdrawal or replacement of candidates would be allowed except in the event of the death of a candidate or running mate before Election Day, as provided for in Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act.

He also disclosed that, in accordance with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, public campaigns would commence on Wednesday, June 11, and end at midnight on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

He also cautioned contending parties against incendiary rhetoric and violence.

“As enshrined in Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022, the Commission wishes to remind political parties, candidates and their supporters that it is unlawful to use abusive language, carry out physical attacks on opponents during rallies, processions and meetings or destroy their campaign materials. Similarly, all parties and candidates must be given unimpeded access to public facilities for media campaigns, outdoor advertising, public rallies, and meetings,” he said, adding that Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits the abuse of incumbency powers.