The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a detailed timetable for the upcoming Anambra State governorship election. The commission’s chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this during a consultative meeting with political party leaders held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Prof. Yakubu noted that political parties intending to field candidates for the election must conduct their primaries between March 20 and April 10, 2025. This window is provided to ensure adequate preparation ahead of the governorship election scheduled for later in November 2025.
He explained, “May I remind leaders of political parties that primaries for the nomination of candidates for the Anambra State governorship election begin in the next two months, i.e., 20th March to 10th April 2025.”
Prof. Yakubu further noted the importance of adhering to the timeline, as stipulated by the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates that election notices be issued at least 360 days before the date of the election. This requirement, he said, ensures transparency and fairness throughout the process.
In addition to the Anambra election, Yakubu also spoke about the Federal Capital Territory’s Area Council election, which is set to take place on February 21, 2026. He revealed that the tenure of the current chairmen and councillors of the FCT Area Councils will expire next year, making the upcoming election necessary.
“The last Area Council election in the FCT was held on 12 February 2022. By the effluxion of time, the tenure of the current chairmen and councillors ends next year. Consequently, the commission has approved that the 2026 Area Council election in FCT will be held on Saturday, 21st February 2026,” Yakubu said.
He added that voting for the FCT election will occur in all designated polling units across 68 constituencies to elect six chairmen and 62 councillors.
