The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 16 out of the 19 registered political parties in Nigeria have submitted candidates to contest the upcoming governorship election in Anambra State, scheduled for November 8, 2025.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun, made this known on Thursday through a statement released in Awka, the state capital.
Olumekun noted that all 16 political parties met the official deadline for uploading the required candidate documents, known as Form EC9, by 6:00 p.m. on May 12, 2025.
“Therefore 16 out of the 19 registered parties are participating in the election,’’ he said.
The candidates and their running mates listed by INEC include: Charles Onyeze and Apollonia Ezeadili of Accord (A); Japhet Ndeke and Anayochukwu Obi of Action Alliance (AA); Grace Ifemeludike and Ikechukwu Mgbemena for African Action Congress (AAC); John Nwosu and Ndubuisi Nwobu of African Democratic Congress (ADC); and Nicholas Ukachukwu with Lilian Ekwunife of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Others vying for the seat include incumbent governor Chukwuma Soludo and Gilbert Ibezim representing the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Echezona Otti and Samuel Ezeigwe of Allied Peoples Movement (APM); and Chukwudubem Ndeke with Ebele Okeke under the Action Peoples Party (APP).
The Boot Party (BP) put forward Jerry Okeke and Happiness Ugboma; the Labour Party (LP) nominated Nnadubem Moghalu and Veronica Okaro; while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) entered Geoffrey Onyejegbu and Victor Arinze into the race.
Also participating are: Ndidi Olieh and Reginald Egbe of the National Rescue Movement (NRM); Jude Ezenwafor and Chukwudi Okeke from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and Vincent Chukwurah with Venatious Odira representing the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) will be represented by Chukwuka Chukwuma and Izuchukwu Okagbue, while Martin Ugwoji and Faith Obi are flying the flag for the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Olumekun noted that parties had the option to replace any candidate who willingly withdrew from the race before the June 2 deadline. “Consequently, the commission hereby publishes the final list of candidates that will contest in the 2025 Anambra state governorship election,” he said.
He also shared that none of the 16 participating parties nominated a person with a disability as a candidate. The age of the candidates ranges between 36 and 71 years.
The full list, including names, ages, gender, and qualifications of all candidates, has been published on INEC’s website and social media pages.
INEC noted that changes to the candidate list will only be allowed in case of a candidate’s death before election day, in line with Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act.
Campaigns by political parties will officially begin on June 11, 2025, and must end by midnight on November 6, as per Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act. Olumekun reminded all parties to ensure fair access to public facilities during campaigns and cautioned against using incumbency as an advantage or disadvantage.
