The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Wednesday, released official list of candidates who will take part in the 2025 governorship election in Anambra State. The commission also revealed that election campaigns will officially begin on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, and end at midnight on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
In a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC confirmed that 16 political parties will be participating in the election. These parties met the required deadline for submission of their candidates’ details on or before 6:00 p.m. on May 12, 2025.
Olumekun noted that all substitutions of candidates have been concluded. According to him, four political parties changed their deputy governorship nominees, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) organized a new primary election to replace its former candidate before the June 2 deadline.
The statement read, “The public may recall that the commission recently published the personal particulars of candidates that emerged from primaries conducted by political parties for the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election.
“A total of 16 political parties uploaded the particulars of their candidates (Form EC9) by the deadline of 6.00 pm on Monday, May 12, 2025.”
The INEC commissioner added that four political parties replaced their deputy governorship candidates while the African Democratic Congress conducted a fresh primary election to replace its candidate before the June 2, 2025, deadline.
It added, “In line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties are empowered to replace their candidates who voluntarily withdraw from the race.
“Accordingly, the African Democratic Congress conducted a fresh primary election to replace its candidate while four political parties replaced their deputy governorship candidates.
“They are Accord, African Action Congress, Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party.
“The deadline for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates was Monday 2nd June 2025.
“Consequently, the commission hereby publishes the final list of candidates that will contest in the 2025 Anambra State governorship election.”
INEC also disclosed that the age of the governorship candidates ranged from 36 to 71 years.
The statement however further stated that with the final list now published, no further candidate substitution would be accepted, except in cases of death before election day, as stipulated by Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act.
It said, “Sixteen out of the 19 registered parties are participating in the election, out of which the African Action Congress and the National Rescue Movement have nominated female candidates while six parties are fielding female running mates. They are Accord, All Progressives Congress, Action Peoples Party, Boot Party, Labour Party and Zenith Labour Party.
“No party has nominated a person with a disability as a candidate. In terms of age, the candidates range between 36 and 71 years.
“The full list of the candidates by party, age, gender and academic qualifications has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information.
“With this publication, no further withdrawal or replacement of candidates will be allowed except in the event of death of a candidate or running mate before election day as provided by Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act.”
INEC warned political parties and their supporters to adhere strictly to campaign regulations outlined in the Electoral Act, including the prohibition of hate speech, physical attacks, and the destruction of opponents’ materials.
It urged that all candidates be granted equal access to public facilities for advertising and events, with the use of incumbency for electoral advantage expressly forbidden.
The statement further said, “In line with the provision of Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties are now at liberty to start their electioneering campaigns in public from Wednesday, 11th June 2025, and end at midnight on Thursday, 6th November 2025.
“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 as well as public rallies and meetings.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits the use of incumbency to the advantage or disadvantage of any party or candidate.”
